Maziarz, Ceretto calling for better regulation of SPCA facilities

Local News

January 12, 2012

By Rick Pfeiffer Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Thu Jan 12, 2012, 11:21 PM EST

NIAGARA FALLS — A better way to regulate animal shelters in New York state may spring from the current controversy surrounding the SPCA of Niagara.

Assemblyman John Ceretto and state Sen. George Maziarz say they have asked the assembly and senate legislative counsels to look at whether there is a way to “streamline” the agencies that oversee operations like the SPCA.

“When it comes to oversight of SPCAs it’s kind of a mixed bag,” Maziarz said. “Because they’re a corporation, the attorney general has oversight, because they’re a not-for-profit the Department of State has some control and because of the animals, the Department of Agriculture and Markets is involved.”

Maziarz said when he read about charges of over euthanization and failure to provide proper medical care to animals in the Gazette, he immediately called the Department of Agriculture and Markets and asked them to look into the complaints.

The state agency conducted a surprise inspection of the Lockport Road shelter three days later.

During the inspection, investigators found violations of redemption period rules that require that animals be kept for at least five days before being euthanized. They also discovered that shelter staff could not “locate (any veterinarian) treatment records from 2011.”

Ceretto was at a protest rally outside the SPCA on Saturday and said the revelations in Gazette stories were “very troubling to my heart.”

The Lewiston Republican said he is the owner of two rescue dogs and three stray cats and said he would prefer the local shelter to be a “no kill” facility. SPCA of Niagara Executive Director John Faso has said the shelter will “never be a no kill” facility “because it’s too expensive.”

Ceretto also promised to keep a “close watch” over investigations of the shelter by the Erie County SPCA and an outside independent counsel.

Maziarz said he hopes that the senate and assembly counsel will report back shortly on whether the regulation of animal shelters can be consolidated.

“There is such a mish-mash over oversight that (Ceretto) and I are hoping to clarify that,” the Newfane Republican said. “I think (consolidation of oversight) is a much better idea. I think maybe it could be Agriculture and Markets. I think when it comes to care of animals, they’re probably the most qualified.”

Late Thursday afternoon, the SPCA of Niagara Board issued a statement that reiterated the role of the Erie County SPCA and outside counsel Paul Cambria investigating their operations.

“Preliminarily, we have determined that changes are in order so as to accomplish our mission of caring for sick and abandoned animals,” the statement read. “We are in the process of interviewing all concerned persons and reviewing all records. It is the goal of this board to respond to all credible issues raised.”

The statement said the board has been told the results of the investigations would be completed in “approximately four weeks.”

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