Public forces action against Niagara SPCA

WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WIVB) - Public anger exploded at the Wheatfield Town Board meeting Tuesday evening. Because of their outcry, Wheatfield is temporarily suspending its contract with the Niagara County SPCA.

Residents are outraged by allegations of animal abuse at the Niagara County SPCA, and they won't be brushed off. At Tuesday night's Wheatfield Town Board meeting, angry residents demanded that the town immediately stop allowing the SPCA to pick up its stray dogs and cats.

Niagara County SPCA's executive director, John Faso, is accused of allowing sick and injured animals to go without treatment and of allowing healthy animals to be euthanized. Just before the meeting, Supervisor Robert Cliffe said he would ask the Town Board to suspend its $15,000 annual payment to the SPCA for that service.

"Until we find out, get assurances from them that they are indeed doing their part of the contract, and that they're meeting the obligations to the people of Niagara County," said Cliffe.

But that was not enough for the residents, who wanted to make sure no more animals from Wheatfield are taken in by the SPCA.

Resident Leanne Powers said, "We had to beg and beg that board in order to even hear us, and want to have the option of pulling any type of care from the SPCA temporarily."

And by the end of the meeting, the board had agreed to temporarily reinstate its own animal control officer.

Animal control officer Craig Schultz said, "What we're going to do now is, I'm going to take over the dog duties and cat duties in the town. We're going to talk to the Town of Lewiston to cover me -- of course, I can't be available 24/7 -- see if we can set something up, shared services, for now, until the investigation has taken place."

Schultz also plans to ask the SPCA Serving Erie County for help housing rescued animals.

If I have to, if the animal is healthy, I'll house it myself," said Schultz.

Next, residents want the SPCA's board and executive director ousted.

Shirley Carter of Niagara Feline Friends, Inc. said, "Their heads are in the sand, and it's time that somebody wakes up!"

Until a full investigation is completed, the Niagara County SPCA will receive no funding from the Town of Wheatfield, and it will not be called to pick up stray animals there.

The citizens who made it happen Tuesday night are planning a rally at the SPCA on Saturday at noon; they're asking people to bring donations of pet food and medicine.