Dept. of Agr. inspects Niagara SPCA

WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WIVB) - The embattled SPCA of Niagara has passed a surprise inspection by the State Department of Agriculture and Markets. But the state did find fault with the agency on one issue concerning euthanasia.

The SPCA sent News 4 a copy of the report late Tuesday afternoon. You can read it in full here.

The report shows the shelter did meet 18 out of 19 quality of care issues. The lone exception concerns the shelter's redemption period. Inspectors found that three sick or injured dogs were euthanized before the end of the five-day waiting period and there was no record of a veterinarian's examination stating that euthanasia during that period was necessary.

SPCA of Niagara spokesman Stefan Mychajliw said, "That one issue pertains to paperwork of the care of animals where there may be an issue where paperwork was either not filed properly or stored properly. So the organization is going to look at that, review it, see what the issue is and of course respond properly if necessary."

Both the state and the Erie County SPCA are looking into claims by some former volunteers that the shelter in Wheatfield put down hundreds of animals that were not terminally ill.