ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — The Erie County SPCA is in the dog house after a series of social media posts within the past 24 hours allege the animal shelter is making rash decisions when it comes to euthanizing animals.
One user, who identified herself as a former volunteer, took to Facebook to post about the alleged mistreatment of an energetic Australian Cattle dog named Pepper, whom she says was euthanized instead of being transferred to a facility that would better meet her needs.
Other users also chimed in, saying the shelter is putting down dogs out of convenience, and in some cases, doing so for something as small as growling.
2 On Your Side sat down with Cait Daly, the president and CEO of the Erie County SPCA to discuss these claims.
“No one wants a happy ending for every single animal more than the people who work in this building,” she said.
Daly said the SPCA’s process of euthanizing animals is very in depth, can take weeks and always involves a discussion with all branches of the shelter, including the behavioral team, medical team, marketing team and volunteers who are working directly with these animals.
She also said dogs are only put down for two reasons, behavioral issues or deterioration, and the dog must show an extensive history of either.
“It's exhaustive, and they meet weekly to discuss it, and it is not taken lightly,” Daly said. “What other tactics could we use? Could we increase the walking? Could we maybe do a special on them? It would have to be a danger to the public, a danger to our staff, or it would have to be that the animal is suffering deeply.”
That was the case for Pepper, who according to the SPCA, had 43 log entries, including multiple violent incidents, one where Pepper bit a volunteer and refused to let go. The dog would not sleep and became extremely anxious. Daly said the SPCA also made numerous efforts to transfer her or get her adopted, but each time she was adopted, she was returned.
Daly said she appreciates that the community is invested in the animals’ well-being but hopes this interest will translate to action.
“What would be wonderful is if that passionate caring could be directed in ways that would help the animals, such as adoption,” she said.