From Cornell Cooperative Extension and WKBW-TV 7 Buffalo: Take Down Bird Feeders to Help Stop Spread of Avian Flu
Click on image to see the full story
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer
Our favorite, Terry Buchwald, is back with the WNY Elvis Appreciation Society to help the animals at the SPCA! All the details are in the flier below! But just for fun…how many references to Elvis songs can you find in this write-up? (HINT: There are 20 songs referenced! Answers in red below the flier!)
Memories of pre-COVID days got you down and you don’t even want to get out of bed? Well, set that teddy bear aside, grab your good luck charm, and don’t worry too much about being lonesome tonight…or at least not on April 23!
We’re all shook up to announce that ELVIS FOREVER is back to benefit the hound dogs and other animals at the SPCA Serving Erie County! And we can’t help falling in love with Buffalo Music Hall of Fame member Terry Buchwald…we know you’ll love him tender too!…as he gives us a little less conversation and a whole lot more of the music we ALL have a burning love for!
Put on your blue suede shoes and join the WNY Elvis Appreciation Society and the SPCA Saturday, April 23, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 33 Legion Parkway, way down in Lancaster!
See the flier here for all the details! And tickets are going fast, so it’s now or never! We don’t want to be cruel, but when they’re gone, they’re gone! Just call Trish at 716-481-0958…she’s the one taking care of business, and she’ll tell you where to mail your check; then the tickets will be returned to sender.
Let’s bossa nova together, and sing along too! There’ll be a whole lotta’ shaking going on…you won’t want to miss it! See you next month!
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
ANSWERS IN RED!
Memories of pre-COVID days got you down and you don’t even want to get out of bed? Well, set that teddy bear aside, grab your good luck charm, and don’t worry too much about being lonesome tonight…or at least not on April 23!
We’re all shook up to announce that ELVIS FOREVER is back to benefit the hound dogs and other animals at the SPCA Serving Erie County! And we can’t help falling in love with Buffalo Music Hall of Fame member Terry Buchwald…we know you’ll love him tender too!…as he gives us a little less conversation and a whole lot more of the music we ALL have a burning love for!
Put on your blue suede shoes and join the WNY Elvis Appreciation Society and the SPCA Saturday, April 23, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 33 Legion Parkway, way down in Lancaster!
See the flier here for all the details! And tickets are going fast, so it’s now or never! We don’t want to be cruel, but when they’re gone, they’re gone! Just call Trish at 716-481-0958…she’s the one taking care of business, and she’ll tell you where to mail your check; then the tickets will be returned to sender.
Let’s bossa nova together, and sing along too! There’ll be a whole lotta’ shaking going on…you won’t want to miss it! See you next month!
Become an SPCA Wildlife Volunteer!
Learn how by contacting Wildlife Director Barbara Haney:
barbh@yourspca.org or (716) 875-7360, ext. 220!
Visit our Wildlife Department page by clicking the image below!
WORLD WILDLIFE DAY IS MARCH 3, 2022!
Celebrate by contributing to the SPCA Wildlife Department’s lifesaving efforts!
Wild thing, I think I love you! Make your gift here >>
Hear Barb Haney on Newsradio 930 WBEN >>
See our World Wildlife Day video >>
What do all these animals have in common? They were rehabilitated and released by the SPCA Serving Erie County! Visit our Wildlife Department page by clicking the image below!
-Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
ERIE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN J. FLYNN
DEPEW MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FELONY ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGE FOR BEATING HIS CAT TO DEATH WITH A BASEBALL BAT
March 1, 2022
By: Kait Munro, Public Information Officer, Erie County District Attorney
UPDATE 5/12/22: Baker will serve jail time and five years probation according to this morning’s sentencing by Judge Sheila A. DiTullio. Read the full sentencing update here >>
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 52-year-old Boyd C. Baker of Depew pleaded guilty yesterday morning to one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class “E” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the only charge in the indictment against him two days before testimony was scheduled to begin in his upcoming bench trial.
On February 14, 2021, at approximately 10:48 p.m., Depew Police officers responded to a residence on Penora Street after receiving a 911 call from a neighbor. The defendant is accused of hitting his cat multiple times with a baseball bat in the driveway outside of his home. A couple hours after the incident was reported, a police officer found the cat severely injured before it died. A necropsy determined that the cat, named “Roxy,” died from blunt force trauma.
Baker faces a maximum of two years in prison when he is sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. He continues to remain released on his own recognizance.
A court order issued by Judge DiTullio that prohibits the defendant from owning any animals remains in effect.
DA Flynn commends the Depew Police Department, SPCA Investigator Bill Heine and the SPCA Serving Erie County for their work in the investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Garvey of the Animal Cruelty Unit.
–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Chief Communications Officer
READ ACROSS AMERICA!
March 2, 2022
SPCA’s READ ACROSS AMERICA Book Selections >>
We’re celebrating #ReadAcrossAmerica Day at the SPCA Serving Erie County, and our Humane Education Department staff found a way to help children celebrate too!
Check out this list of recommended reading, 40 books for children of all ages with humane themes, hand-selected by members of the SPCA’s Humane Education Department! The books focus on pet adoption, pet loss, animal rescue, caring for animals, animal adventures, and more!
If your child loves reading, don’t forget to 
check out the SPCA’s Tale for Two program allowing children to read to shelter animals! Details here >>
And if your child’s library is a little sparse, mark May 2 – May 7, 2022 in your calendar! That’s the day the Scholastic Book Fair returns to our 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter…with online purchase opportunities available too! Details coming soon!
-Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer
From News 4 Buffalo and the SPCA Paws for Love Program: Meet the therapy dogs bringing smiles to hundreds of Western New Yorkers ! Click the images below to watch this emotional story:
Click on the image below to read this excellent article about the struggles currently being faced by our nation’s veterinarians:
SHADOW CATS
Help a cat see the light! Become a member of the SPCA’s Foster Care team and bring home a “Shadow Cat!” And now, you can ADOPT a Shadow Cat for a waived adoption fee! Shadow Cats:
-Are quiet, polite roommates
-Are low-key
-Are not attention-seekers
-Keep to themselves
-Are perfect for those with busy lifestyles
-Only require food, a litter box, and plenty of hiding spots!
–NEW! Are available for adoption from either a foster home or the SPCA’s West Seneca shelter for a waived adoption fee! Read about this exciting update here! >>
Shadow Cat foster parents will foster cats in the home a minimum of two weeks; length of stay depends on each cat’s individual needs. As with all foster companions, the SPCA provides food, supplies, veterinary care, and guidance.
You can read more about the SPCA’s Shadow Cat Program here. If you’d like to help a Shadow Cat see the light, please contact the SPCA’s Foster Care Department at (716) 875-7360, ext. 216, or FosterCare@yourspca.org.
Learn About the SPCA’s Foster Care Program >>
FROM THE OFFICE OF
ERIE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN J. FLYNN
October 27, 2021
CHEEKTOWAGA MAN ARRAIGNED ON FELONY ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES FOR KILLING CATS
Update June 5, 2023 — Germanguerrero, who pled guilty in March to felony animal charges after killing his cats, was sentenced today in Erie County Court by Hon. Kenneth F. Case to five years probation and a five year “no animal” order.
Update March 7, 2023 — Germanguerrero Pleads Guilty to Felony Animal Cruelty. Read the full story here >>
Update February 9, 2022 — CHEEKTOWAGA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS CATS INDICTED ON FELONY ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 22-year-old Moises L. Germanguerrero of Cheektowaga was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging him with two counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class “E” felonies). (See the original story, below.)
The defendant became the subject of an investigation by SPCA Serving Erie County following the suspicious deaths of his cats. It is alleged that on March 29, 2021, the defendant’s girlfriend brought a deceased cat to a veterinary hospital, which was then taken to the SPCA Serving Erie County. A necropsy determined that the cat died from blunt force trauma to the head. The defendant is accused of hitting the cat with a closed fist, which caused the death of the animal.
It is further alleged that on October 18, 2021, the defendant’s girlfriend brought another cat to a different veterinary hospital to be treated for head trauma. The cat was taken to the SPCA Serving Erie County where it was euthanized due to the severity of the injury. A veterinarian at the SPCA determined the second cat died from blunt force trauma to the head, which was confirmed by a necropsy. The defendant is also accused of fatally injuring the second cat by hitting the animal in the head with a closed fist.
Germanguerrero is scheduled to return on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. The defendant remains released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying for bail.
If convicted of all charges, Germanguerrero faces a maximum of two years in prison.
DA Flynn commends SPCA Serving Erie County Officers Jasil Ivory, Tyler Robertson, Lindsey Wood, and Jennifer Maleskis as well as and Detective Terrence Griffin of the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in this investigation.
“This is a disturbing case of a man accused of killing his own pets. My office will continue to prosecute animal abusers to the fullest extent of the law. I want thank the SPCA for not only their work in this investigation, but also for the work they do every day to help animals in our community,” said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Garvey of the Animal Cruelty Unit and Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Felony Trials Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
October 27, 2021 — Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 21-year-old Moises L. Germanguerrero of Cheektowaga was arraigned yesterday morning before 
Cheektowaga Town Court Justice David M. Stevens on two counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class “E” felonies). The defendant was charged following investigation by SPCA Serving Erie County into the suspicious deaths of his cats.
It is alleged that on March 29, 2021, the defendant’s girlfriend brought a deceased cat to a veterinary hospital, which was then taken to the SPCA Serving Erie County. A necropsy determined that the cat died from blunt force trauma to the head. The defendant is accused of hitting the cat with a closed fist, which caused the death of the animal.
It is further alleged that on October 18, 2021, the defendant’s girlfriend brought another cat to a different veterinary hospital to be treated for head trauma. The cat was taken to the SPCA Serving Erie County where it was euthanized due to the severity of the injury. A veterinarian at the SPCA determined the second cat suffered from blunt force trauma to the head pending results of a necropsy. The defendant is also accused of fatally injuring the cat by hitting the animal with a closed fist.
Germanguerrero is scheduled to return on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. The defendant was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying for bail.
If convicted of all charges, Germanguerrero faces a maximum of 4 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends SPCA Serving Erie County Officers Jasil Ivory, Tyler Robertson, Lindsey Wood, and Jennifer Maleskis as well as and Detective Terrence Griffin of the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in this investigation.
“This is a disturbing case of a man accused of killing his own pets. My office will continue to prosecute animal abusers to the fullest extent of the law. I want thank the SPCA for not only their work in this investigation, but also for the work they do every day to help animals in our community,” said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn.
“This is so much more than a job for our officers at the SPCA. These cases become incredibly personal, and elicit heartfelt sentiment amongst members of our team. Just this case alone, particularly for Officer Ivory, represented more than 6 months of discussion and fact-checking and, yes, a range of emotions. I’m incredibly proud of the work performed by the NYS Peace Officers who represent the SPCA every day, and equally-proud of the relationships they’ve formed with other local law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office. Together with donors who make our services possible, we work tirelessly to end animal cruelty in our region and beyond,” said Beth Shapiro, SPCA Serving Erie County interim president/CEO.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Animal Cruelty Unit.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
— Kait Munro | Public Information Officer
Erie County | District Attorney