Category: News

SPCA Serving Erie County Board of Directors Announces
Caitlin M. Daly as New President/CEO

November 1, 2021
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca

The Board of Directors of the SPCA Serving Erie County is pleased to announce the appointment of Caitlin M. Daly as the organization’s new President/CEO.

See this story on Newsradio 930 WBEN >>

Daly, a native of Washington, D.C., comes to the SPCA Serving Erie County most recently from the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Lollypop Farm, where she served two years as the organization’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

See this story in the Buffalo News >>

A frequent speaker at national and local animal welfare conferences, Daly received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Longwood University in Virginia. Her work in animal welfare started 12 years ago in North Carolina, and since then, she has served as an executive director, fundraiser, social media specialist, foster/adoption coordinator, and more at various shelters along the East Coast.

See this story on WIVB-TV News 4 Buffalo >>

Prior to her work at Lollypop Farm, Daly served as executive director at the Fredericksburg SPCA in Virginia. There, Daly’s program Adventure Tails, a day-out program for animals, exponentially increased adoption rates and received national recognition; Adventure Tails is now being integrated into shelter programs throughout the country.

See this story in Business First >>

Daly is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator through the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, and is Fear Free-certified by Fear Free®, a transformative animal welfare initiative founded in 2016 to provide unparalleled education on animals’ emotional well-being and enrichment, and on the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.

See this story in Bee Publications >>

“Cait’s credentials, energy, and empathy are outstanding,” SPCA Board of Directors Chairperson Julie Desmond Schechter says. “She’ll be an incredible leader to our already-amazing team at the SPCA! We’re extremely excited to begin this next chapter at our organization.”

“It is my honor and a great achievement to join the SPCA Serving Erie County team. I look forward to leading with kindness, compassion, and encouragement,” says Daly. “I will jump in with full enthusiasm to ensure the best possible community for animals and the people who love them. We are going to do amazing things together!”

Daly shares her life with Jena, a 14-year-old German Shepherd mix; Poe, a five-year-old Puggle mix (pictured with Daly at top); Noah, a five-year-old Chihuahua; and Bella, an eight-year-old Siberian Forest Cat. All have been adopted from various agencies and all are, in Daly’s words, “…so spoiled!”

Daly is scheduled to begin her work with the SPCA Serving Erie County in January, 2022.

FROM THE OFFICE OF ERIE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN J. FLYNN:

ACCUSED DOG FIGHTER INDICTED ON NUMEROUS FELONY CHARGES FOR ILLEGAL GUNS, NARCOTICS, AND ANIMAL CRUELTY

The defendant, who was wanted on an indictment warrant, was arrested in Georgia and brought back to Western New York to face prosecution after nearly a year on the run

See press conference here >>

November 1, 2021 — Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 44-year-old Douglas D. Williams of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller on a 12-count indictment charging him with the following offenses:

-Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third  Degree (Class “B” felonies)
-One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony)
-One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree (Class “C” felony)
-Three counts of Prohibition of Animal Fighting, Training Animal with Intent That It Will Engage in Animal Fighting (Class “E” felony under New York Agriculture and Markets Law)
-Two counts of Overdriving, Torturing, and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance (Class “A” misdemeanor under New York Agriculture and Markets Law)
-Two counts of Prohibition of Animal Fighting, Possession, Sale or Making of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia (Class “B” misdemeanor under New York Agriculture and Markets Law)

It is alleged that on Friday, October 9, 2020, the defendant, who was the subject of an investigation led by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested during a traffic stop in the Town of Clarence. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence on Bailey Avenue in the City of Buffalo where an illegal firearm and a quantity of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl was allegedly recovered.

Investigators also allegedly found five dogs, believed to be used for fighting, in inadequate conditions inside the home. Two additional dogs were inside the defendant’s vehicle at the time of his arrest.

All seven dogs were placed into the care and custody of the SPCA Serving Erie County. The dogs underwent several evaluations, but ultimately were euthanized after being deemed too unsafe for rehabilitation and adoption.

“In addition to being in possession of potentially deadly narcotics and illegal guns, this defendant is accused of using cruel methods to train these dogs to become dangerous animals. This case highlights the tragedy of these underground, illegal activities. I am pleased to announce that this defendant has been arrested after being wanted on a warrant for nearly a year, so my office can proceed with prosecution. I want to thank the SPCA Serving Erie County for their work in this case and other animal cruelty investigations,” said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn.

“At the SPCA Serving Erie County, we are exposed to many different types of cruelty, different acts of violence towards animals. However, the most barbaric and disheartening cases we see are cases of dog fighting. We commit ourselves each and every day to doing everything in our power to end this inhuman activity. Together with community members who support our work, other law enforcement agencies, and the District Attorney’s Office, we’ve been able to do more than ever before to help put an end to this uncivilized evil. There’s still much work to be done, but we’re thankful our community is headed in the right direction,” said Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca of the SPCA.

“We are grateful to the anonymous tips that led to the arrest of a convicted felon who was selling narcotics and operating illegal and cruel dogfighting matches. We are also appreciative of the Buffalo Police Department’s and The SPCA Serving Erie County’s role in the investigation, which brought an end to the narcotics dealing and cruelty to animals,” said Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard.

Williams was initially arraigned in Buffalo City Court on October 10, 2020 on numerous felony charges. He was released after posting bail. When the defendant failed to appear for a return court date, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

Williams was arrested by US Marshals in the Atlanta, Georgia area. He waived extradition proceedings and was transported back to Buffalo last week.

Williams is scheduled to return on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. for an attorney appearance. Judge Boller remanded the defendant without bail.

If convicted on all charges, Williams faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and the SPCA Serving Erie County for their work in this investigation. Flynn also commends the US Marshals and the New York State Division of Parole who assisted in locating and transporting the defendant back to Western New York.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan 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.

Full story on website of Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn >>

Purchases at BauerleStore.com Help Animals at SPCA Serving Erie County; Donations Increased During Halloween Flash Sale

Shop BauerleStore.com now >>

October 25, 2021 — SPCA media partner Tom Bauerle, on air at NewsRadio 930 WBEN weekdays 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., has selected the SPCA Serving Erie County as the recipient of partial proceeds earned on all purchases at BauerleStore.com!

Starting Monday, use promo code SPCA31 to take advantage of a Halloween special discount: 31% off all items through October 31, when ALL proceeds will be donated to the animals at the SPCA!

Store merchandise, featuring products made only in the USA, ranges from water bottles and mugs to shirts and blankets.

This fundraising concept is one example of Bauerle’s longtime support of the SPCA. “The SPCA Serving Erie County has been a favorite charity of mine for most of my life,” says Bauerle, whose relationship with the organization has grown over several decades. In addition to personal donations, Bauerle has guest-hosted events, broadcasted during the annual Radiothon for more than 15 years, and found other unique ways to help the animals at the organization.

“I still remember one gift to the SPCA,  a large-screen television used in a feline recovery room at the Ensminger Rd., Tonawanda shelter. Veterinary technicians at the SPCA told me that the television would be used to play videos of other cats, birds, insects, even classical music that would help keep the cats’ minds stimulated and occupied, assisting in their recovery…and it WORKED!”

Visit BauerleStore.com October 25 – 31 and remember to use promo code SPCA31 for a special 31% discount! Thanks, Tom, for a Halloween donation we know will be ghoulishly great!

Shop BauerleStore.com now >>

–Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County Chief Communications Officer