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SPCA Officer William Heine Retires After 20 Years of Service

January 30, 2025 — Today we say goodbye to someone who has dedicated 20 years of his life to caring for animals, rescuing them from life-threatening circumstances, loving them, comforting them, sometimes risking his own well-being to save them.

Officer William Heine started at the SPCA in 2005. He worked in the Animal Care Department, ensuring the animals were fed, clean, happy, and healthy. “I knew I wanted to do more,” says Heine. “After three years I moved into Animal Rescue, and within one year I went to school to become a New York State Peace Officer. That same year, I was licensed through the state and became an SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator.”

Heine recalled several favorite memories of working at the SPCA for two decades. “One of my favorite memories is how I found the cat I now own. About nine years ago, I was called out to Derby at 2 a.m. to pick up a box of abandoned kittens. The person who found them told me there were four or five kittens in the box, but I only found four.” Heine searched his rescue vehicle high and low in case there was, in fact, a fifth kitten that had escaped the box. He found nothing, and assumed there were four kittens in all. “Four days later I left paperwork on a clipboard in the van. When I went to the van to retrieve it, I saw muddy pawprints on the paperwork, and I instantly knew who left them. I KNEW there was a kitten hiding in that van who had been petrified over coming out.” After another painstaking search, Heine found the tiny kitten, brought her home, fostered her, and, said Heine, “She became my shadow! She’s my Kit Kat!”

A case four years ago also quickly came to Heine’s mind. “I received a tip that dogs were regularly being trained and fought at a residence in Buffalo. One afternoon I drove to the property to see if I could find any evidence of the alleged acts, but could find nothing. I went to the Buffalo Police to ask them to monitor the property, which they did; each week they would provide me with information, but there wasn’t enough that would allow me to further an investigation.”

Just when it seemed there was nothing more that could be done, everything changed. “One week, a detective unrelated to this case realized we, too, were looking for information on this property, a site he was monitoring. He contacted me and shared information on his interest in the property. We ended up working closely together for several weeks. In the end, our SPCA worked with Buffalo Police, Erie County Sheriffs, and the captain from Erie County’s Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau. Because so many agencies worked together, we were able to locate five dogs at the property, plus two additional dogs owned by this person who was ultimately arrested.”

Heine said that, in addition to helping these dogs and future dogs who may have been harmed by this criminal, what he found memorable was the collaboration of so many agencies, and he values the relationships formed with other officers, friendships he maintains to this day.

Heine’s favorite part of being an SPCA Serving Erie County representative? Educating members of the public. “So much of what we do is not just related to prosecution, it’s related to education. There are times people are completely unaware that what they’re doing or not doing could be harmful to their pets, and these are the people I enjoy helping. Plus, the SPCA is doing so much now to help with vaccines, food, medical assistance…we’re able to do so much more to help people keep their animals.”

In fact, it’s people Heine will miss once he officially retires today. “I’ll truly miss the people here at the SPCA, my co-workers…especially the people in my department. We see things a lot of people do not see. It brings us closer together. We have to lean on each other to get through some days.”

What is Heine most thankful for as he looks back on his career? “I’m so grateful just for the opportunity to be an investigator. It’s a very rewarding career, something that’s not for everybody, for sure. The SPCA gave me the incredible opportunity to move forward in this position, and for that I’m extremely thankful.”

SPCA Chief Lindsey Wood congratulates Heine on his retirement. “It’s well-deserved,” Wood says. “As our leading Senior Investigator, Bill’s commitment to saving the lives of animals and assisting in educating the community will be sorely missed. We look forward to our continued partnership as he transitions from his daily role as officer to his new role as volunteer!” And Wood’s personal note to Heine? “Bill, thank you for always being one phone call away for everyone. I will miss your daily ‘dad’ jokes!”

Officer Heine, your dedication, loyalty, and commitment are admirable, and we can’t begin to count the hundreds if not thousands of animals you’ve helped for two decades. You’ve spent 20 years of your life taking care of others…other people and animals. Thank you for your compassion, skill, and professionalism. It has been a tremendous honor to have you on our team, and so many of us are privileged to call you our friend. We wish you luck as you begin your retirement. And we’ll have your volunteer name tag ready when you are.

— Gina Lattuca, SPCA Serving Erie County