Niagara Co. SPCA meets with AG reps

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - New York's top prosecutor is now looking into the embattled Niagara County SPCA.

After complaints came flooding into the Attorney General's office, representatives called the Niagara County SPCA to seek a meeting with board members from the shelter.

Following a meeting with the Attorney General representatives in Buffalo on Tuesday, Niagara County SPCA Attorney Paul Cambria said, "Nobody has anything to hide here. We're trying to do the right thing."

Cambria says they wanted to know what the plans are going forward.

"We of course assured them that according to the bylaws there's going to be an annual election in May, which is what's provided for under the bylaws. So that's going to occur," said Cambria.

Meanwhile, the shelter's board president, Brandy Scrufari, says he's confident things will be turned around.

"Every day has been a step forward. We are moving and we're moving expeditiously to the best of our abilities," Scrufari said.

Finding a new executive director for the shelter is on the priority list, but before that happens, Cambria says, "It seems to me that before a permanent director is selected there should be a new board of directors."

Cambria says a lot of people with animal handling experience have expressed interest.

Buffalo Humane president Carol Tutzauer said, "They need an interim fast. They really do need somebody. There's nobody running the place right now."

Tutzauer, who runs an animal rescue group in Pendleton, tells News 4 she'd be interested.

"If I could be of assistance in the interim I would certainly be willing. Again it's really a labor of love for me," said Tutzauer.

Cambria says she is among many people he's talked to about assistance for the shelter.

"No one has been excluded. But she has no greater consideration, at this point, than anyone else. No one's been excluded," said Cambria.