SPCA Charges Buffalo Woman with Animal Cruelty for Allegedly Leaving Dog in Hot Car
June 16, 2022
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca
UPDATE 8/8/23 from the office of Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn:
JUDGE FINDS BUFFALO WOMAN GUILTY OF ANIMAL CRUELTY VIOLATION FOR LEAVING HER DOG INSIDE HOT VEHICLE LAST SUMMER
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that Cheektowaga Town Court Justice John Wanat has found 38-year-old Shermika A. Walker of Buffalo guilty of one count of Confinement of Companion Animals in Vehicles: Extreme Temperatures (violation under New York Agriculture and Markets Law). Judge Wanat rendered his decision yesterday afternoon following a two-hour, non-jury trial.
On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Cheektowaga Police and Cheektowaga Animal Control officers responded to a 911 call for a report of a dog in distress inside of a parked vehicle at a plaza on Union Road. When officers arrived at the scene, the dog was seizing and vomiting due to the heat inside of the vehicle.
The defendant’s dog, an 8-year-old male Boston Terrier mix, was removed from the vehicle and taken to a veterinary emergency clinic to be treated for severe heatstroke. The dog was briefly held in the custody of the SPCA Serving Erie County, but [against the wishes and recommendations of the SPCA] was [ordered by the court] returned to the defendant. On June 29, 2022, our office requested that the Court impose a no animal order at the defendant’s arraignment, which was denied by the Town Justice previously assigned to the case.
Walker faces a maximum of 15 days in jail when she is sentenced on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. She remains released on her own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.
DA Flynn commends the Cheektowaga Police Department, Town of Cheektowaga Animal Control, SPCA Serving Erie County and SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator William Heine for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephen C. Papia of the Justice Courts Bureau.
UPDATE 6/29/22 from the office of of Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn: Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 37-year-old Shermika A. Walker of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Cheektowaga Town Justice James J. Speyer, Jr. on one count of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance (Class “A” misdemeanor under New York Agriculture and Markets Law) and one count of Confinement of Companion Animals in Vehicles: Extreme Temperatures (violation under New York Agriculture and Markets Law). [See the full story, below.] Walker is scheduled to return on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. She was released on her own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. If convicted of all charges, Walker faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
DA Flynn commends the Cheektowaga Police Department, Town of Cheektowaga Animal Control, SPCA Serving Erie County and SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigations Officer William Heine for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Garvey 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
June 16, 2022 — The SPCA Serving Erie County has charged Shermika Walker of Buffalo with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty and one violation after she allegedly left a dog in a hot vehicle at the Airport Plaza in Cheektowaga Wednesday, June 15.
According to Accuweather.com, Cheektowaga temperatures reached 91 degrees Wednesday afternoon when Cheektowaga Police and Animal Control officers responded to a call regarding a dog left in a vehicle at the plaza. When officers arrived at the location, they reportedly found the dog inside of the vehicle in severe distress, seizing and vomiting.
The male dog, which appears to be a Boston Terrier, was removed from the vehicle and rushed by Cheektowaga Animal Control officers to the Greater Buffalo Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Genesee St. in Buffalo when SPCA officers were called to assist. The dog’s temperature surpassed 107 degrees and he exhibited other signs of severe heatstroke.
Clinic representatives provided emergency care to stabilize the dog, and he is now in the care of the SPCA Serving Erie County where he will receive additional treatment.
SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigations Officer William Heine opened an investigation and charged Walker this afternoon. She is set to be arraigned in Cheektowaga Town Justice Court June 29, 2022 at 8:30 a.m.
Further updates on this story will be provided when available.
The SPCA reminds community members that the effects of heatstroke can begin quickly in animals left alone in parked cars in the summer, even when cars are parked for short lengths of time in shade with windows open. Those who find animals left alone in cars during extreme temperatures are encouraged to call 9-1-1 or the SPCA Serving Erie County, (716) 875-7360, ext. 214, 8 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. seven days a week.
The Outdoor Code is an integral part of every scout’s commitment to treat our land with respect and follow principled outdoor ethics. “I will learn about and practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife and energy. I will urge others to do the same.”
On warm days, a vehicle acts like an oven. It holds the heat inside, and that heat becomes very intense even on days that don’t seem too warm. On an 85-degree day, 
leave them outside extended periods of time. Ensure appropriate shade and water are always available. Keep close supervision on your pet when outdoors on hot, humid, sunny summer days. If you see an animal left on a porch or in a yard with no access to shelter, or with inadequate shelter, the SPCA may be able to intervene in accordance with New York State’s Animal Shelter Law.
products purchased from deep discount stores were applied. The SPCA has already received several phone calls this season from people who misapplied flea products to their pets. DO NOT APPLY PRODUCTS MEANT FOR DOGS ON CATS, AND DO NOT APPLY CAT FLEA PRODUCTS TO DOGS, AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CONCERNING THE VOLUME AND MANNER OF APPLICATION! Read the directions carefully PRIOR to application, not during application. The application of improper flea products, low-quality flea products, or products applied incorrectly, can cause internal damage or death to your pet. Always consult a veterinarian before purchasing and applying flea products.
discount stores. Some pet toys are not durable enough to withstand a pet’s play. This tip and photo came to us in the summer of 2019 from Patrick in South Dayton, NY. Patrick purchased a disc dog toy from a deep discount store for his dogs Roscoe and Titan. On the first throw, Titan caught the toy, which shattered, said Patrick, “…like a mirror” (see photo). Be sure the toys you purchase for your pets are safe and sturdy.
BUNNIES NEED TO KEEP COOL TOO! Pet rabbits who live indoors with no air conditioning can benefit from an easy cooling technique. Rabbit owners can freeze a filled water bottle. Once the water bottle is frozen, it can be wrapped in a cloth and placed on the rabbit’s cage floor. If the rabbit becomes too warm, she’ll instinctively know to lie next to the bottle. Fans can also be pointed in the general direction of a rabbit cage, and rabbits will raise their ears (their natural cooling system) to catch the breeze and cool off. On hot days, pet owners with rabbits living in outdoor pens will want to ensure their pets are cool enough in outdoor locations; if not, rabbits and pens should come indoors.
* ENSURE ALL ANIMALS ARE WEARING CURRENT IDENTIFICATION! Even if the animal has microchip identification, place a collar with an ID tag on your pet. If a neighbor or passer-by finds your animal, an ID collar that includes your phone number can lead to a faster reunion. Remember, don’t limit a search for a lost pet to your geographical location! A frightened animal that bolts can travel long distances, and well-meaning community members trying to help may also transport the animal to an animal control facility or veterinary clinic in a different neighborhood. Find 
SPCA officers as a result of cruelty investigations, and speaking with the officers emphasizes the importance of the work being done. Visions of nighttime raids, doors being kicked in, and on-the-scene chaos compete with the reality of the investigation and the emotions experienced by cruelty officers when abused animals in appalling conditions are finally found…animals that can be saved by the SPCA, and especially animals who are past the point of being saved.
“On February 3, the SPCA received a call from Homeland Security Investigations,” Wood explained. “That morning, officers had executed a warrant for narcotics at a Marion St. residence, and while they were there, they saw three dogs unproperly cared for, malnourished, with scarring.” As HSI officers arrested five people at the property, SPCA officers worked to obtain their own search warrant, allowing them to enter the property to check on the dogs.
headed to the CBAS and found two dogs there that fit the description of the dogs HSI officers originally found on February 3. The dogs, like the dog rescued from the location, were also in poor condition, emaciated, and severely neglected. HSI officers confirmed that the two dogs were, in fact, the dogs they saw on Marion St.
