Case Dismissed Against Animal Control Officer

WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) - An animal control officer who shot and killed three cats will soon be back on the job.

All charges against Fred Grasso have been dropped.

Barbara Carr, the Executive Director of the SPCA, left a courtroom in West Seneca extremely disappointed.

Town Justice Richard Scott ruled that Fred Grasso didn't actually commit a crime when he shot and killed three cats last June.

Carr said, "You can't tell me that if "Jimmy Jones" went in someone's basement and shot cats that, that would be okay."

Grasso, an animal control officer in Lackawanna, had testified during his non-jury trial that the only safe way to remove the cats was by shooting and killing them.

He says the mother cat and two kittens were hissing and spitting at him inside an apartment building on Eagan Drive.

Grasso's attorney Arcangelo Petricca said, "He does not destroy animals unfairly or unjustly. He felt that he was in danger and that the tenants and residents of that building were in danger, and he had to act quickly and swiftly in order to save them."

The case was transferred to West Seneca because of the outrage and attention it received in Lackawanna.

Several witnesses testified for both sides.

Grasso's attorney says his client is not a bad guy, "Fred is an animal lover himself. He has proven that time and time again. He is a cat owner himself."

Carr said, "This is a very disappointing case for animals in this community."

New York State does not have any requirements in place for someone who wants to be an animal control officer.

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt tells News 4 legislation is currently being drafted to change that.