UPDATE, AUGUST 16, 2019: Jarrod Dillman appeared in Buffalo City Court this morning. He has waived his felony hearing and his case will now proceed to the grand jury. Please keep watching YourSPCA.org for further information on this animal cruelty case.

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August 13, 2019

DOG DAYCARE WORKER CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY FOR BEATING DOG TO DEATH

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 23-year-old Jarrod Dillman of Buffalo has been arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Barbara Johnson-Lee on one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a felony, and one count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, a misdemeanor.

It is alleged that on Saturday, August 3, 2019, the defendant, while working as a [daycare attendant and bather] at PawPrints by Penny & Co. on Niagara Street in the City of Buffalo, caused the death of “Alessio,” a three-year-old Havanese, by throwing the dog against a wall and repeatedly kicking the dog while wearing boots. The preliminary necropsy results determined that the dog died as a result of blunt force trauma.

Dillman is scheduled to return on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Judge Johnson-Lee set bail at $5,000 cash, bond or property.

DA Flynn commends the SPCA Serving Erie County, including Officers Paul LeShay, Amy Jaworski and Lindsey Styborski, for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Erin E. Hart of the DA’s Animal Cruelty Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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From BuffaloNews.com:

Dog day care attendant arraigned on felony aggravated animal cruelty charge

By Harold McNeil
Published August 13, 2019|Updated August 13, 2019

An attendant for a Buffalo dog groomer was arraigned Tuesday in Buffalo City Court on a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, after an animal in his care died, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said 23-year-old Jarrod Dillman of Buffalo was additionally charged with overdriving, torturing and injuring an animal, as well as failure to provide proper sustenance.

“We’re horrified and saddened by the death of the dog that was in our care, and this is the first that I’ve learned that he was arrested,” said Penelope Lanich, proprietor of PawPrints by Penny & Co., when contacted by The Buffalo News Tuesday.

“We’ve been working closely with the SPCA to make sure justice is served here,” she added.

On Aug. 3, while working as a day care employee at PawPrints by Penny & Co. on Niagara Street in Buffalo, Dillman allegedly caused the death of a 3-year-old Havanese named Alessio by throwing the dog against a wall and repeatedly kicking the animal while Dillman was wearing boots. The preliminary necropsy results have determined that the dog died as a result of blunt force trauma, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Dillman initially was identified by the District Attorney’s Office as a dog groomer at PawPrints, but Lanich said that is not a position Dillman ever held at the business during his 1 1/2 years of employment there.

“I’ve been in business for over 15 years and I’ve never had anything like this happen,” Lanich said.

Dillman is scheduled to return to court Friday for a felony hearing before City Court Judge Barbara Johnson-Lee, who set bail at $5,000.

SPCA OFFERS PET FIRST AID CLASS

July 11, 2019
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca

The SPCA Serving Erie County will offer its third Pet First Aid Class of the year Saturday, August 3, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at its 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca location.

Instructors will cover the symptoms of serious emergencies that require immediate treatment, hands-on animal CPR with CPR mannequin resusci-dog Spot, muzzling demonstrations, bandaging demonstrations, and will offer a comprehensive lecture portion on recognizing and appropriately handling life-threatening emergencies.

Included in the $20.00 registration fee is a take-home booklet for easy reference, and contact information for area emergency veterinarians.

Registration is required and interested parties can register here. Space is limited, so hurry!  Please watch YourSPCA.org, Facebook, or Twitter for future class announcements!

Kitty Crew Member Returned to Tall Ship After Brief Port of Call in Buffalo

July 8, 2019
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca


All hands were on deck at the the SPCA Serving Erie County’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca site late Friday night and early Saturday morning.

When a good Samaritan brought a stray kitty to the SPCA at approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 5, she was certain the cat had an owner somewhere. After all, the young cat was wearing a harness, and her ID tag said Fiji.

To ensure the four-legged visitor found on Erie Street in Buffalo didn’t require critical veterinary care, SPCA Veterinary Technician Lana Bilger immediately examined the friendly feline, who appeared unharmed, unhurt, and in excellent condition. But after scanning the cat, the SPCA crew realized she clearly had no microchip identification, and further examination of the ID tag on the cat’s harness raised questions; on the back of that tag, Lana noticed the words ‘Picton Castle.’

The SPCA;s Lana examines Fiji, brought in as a stray late Friday evening, July 5

Unaware of whether this was the name of the cat’s owner, the name of the cat’s hometown, or even, possibly, the name of the cat, SPCA representatives did a quick internet search of the words “Fiji,” “Picton Castle,” and “cat”…and within seconds, it became clear that this cat was a crew member of one of the tall ships, the Picton Castle, currently visiting Buffalo, NY!

Fiji’s bio on the Picton Castle’s ‘Ship and Crew’ page at https://www.picton-castle.com/ship-and-crew/the-crew.html

Understanding that the ship’s departure was scheduled for the weekend, Lana and SPCA Veterinary Assistant Chelsea knew that it was critical a reunion happen in a short period of time. SPCA Cruelty Investigations Officer Jay Ivory  made a call to the ship’s headquarters in Nova Scotia at approximately 12 a.m. EST Saturday morning, Lana sent an email to the address provided on the ship’s website, Fiji was set up in her own personal suite with refreshments and blankets, and the wait began.

Chelsea and Fiji

By Saturday afternoon, SPCA reps still had not heard back from the Picton Castle and started to create an alternate plan, when SPCA volunteer and AdvoCAT Cary Munschauer heard the cat’s tale and remembered that another SPCA volunteer, Donna Camp, was also volunteering to work the Tall Ships Port of Call: Buffalo.

As a volunteer, Donna was given a list of ship contact names and personal phone numbers. One call from the SPCA to one of those numbers led to three response calls from ship representatives in less than thirty minutes!

Fiji was, indeed, the ship’s four-year-old cat, has traveled the world twice over, and often disembarks the Picton Castle to explore the locations being visited before heading back to the ship when the engines start.

By the time the SPCA was contacted, Picton Castle crew members were already on their way to the West Seneca shelter to retrieve their little stowaway (who was actually adopted onto the ship at six weeks of age in 2014, during a Fiji port of call).

Fiji was microchipped by the SPCA. Staff members also worked with crew members on identification information and contact numbers to ensure that, should Fiji’s visit to a future port of call be extended, she will always be returned before the ship shoves off!

Lana caring for Fiji in the SPCA infirmary
Let’s microchip Fiji

An ardent “Ahoy” goes out to the SPCA’s Lana, Chelsea, Cary, Donna, Jay, along with Hilary Lemperle, Aaron Kandefer, and visiting Lincoln Memorial University veterinary student Marissa, who made sure Fiji was cared for, cuddled, properly identified, and prepped for her vessel’s next voyage!

Learn more about Fiji and keep up on her adventures by visiting the Barque Picton Castle!  

                

See this story on WGRZ-TV

See this story on NewsRadio 930 WBEN

See this story on WKBW-TV

See which of these lovely ladies and gentle gents are still available at the SPCA’s West Seneca shelter here!

Check out the SPCA’s new newsletter,
Compassion in Action!

Winter 2024
2023 Community Impact Report

September 2023 newsletter
Unveiling the SPCA’s new strategic plan, saying goodbye to dear SPCA friends, Doggie Entourage, and more

Summer 2023
Yelp for Help patients, Operation PAWS, Cruelty Spotlight and more

Winter 2023
2022 Community Impact Report

Fall 2022
Behind-the-scenes occupancy, response to May shooting, adoptions, and more

Spring 2022
Foster care, wildlife babies, what to do when you find a kitten, and more

Winter 2021
Annual Report for 2021

Fall 2021
Yelp for Help patients, Bald Eagle rescue, celebrating John Lattimer, and more!

Spring 2021
Owned Animal Wellness

2020 Annual Report
Annual Report for 2020

Fall 2020
Duck Tails and more!

Summer 2020
Navigating Animal Welfare During COVID-19

Winter 2020
Annual Report Fiscal Year October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019

August 8, 2019:
DOG YOGA AT THE SPCA HAS BEEN CANCELED. THOSE WHO HAVE REGISTERED WILL BE RECEIVING A FULL REFUND. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST, AND PLEASE KEEP WATCHING YourSPCA.org FOR UPCOMING PROGRAMS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW PRICE!
$20 per participant!

REGISTER FOR AUGUST 17’S CLASS BY CLICKING THE IMAGE BELOW!

See the story on WKBW-TV >>

See the latest canine guest on WNLO’s ‘MEL’S MUTTS‘ segment by clicking the image below!
(Pssssst: each Thursday morning it’s a dog from our very own SPCA!)

 

SPCA LAUNCHES ‘TALE FOR TWO’ SUMMER READING CHALLENGE SCHEDULE; PROGRAM ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO READ TO SHELTER PETS

May 28, 2019
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca


(6/10/19: Tale for Two summer orientation dates have passed, but you can register children any time for the challenge! Just contact Humane Education Director Christine Davis: HumaneEducation@yourspca.org.)

The SPCA Serving Erie County will present its first annual Tale for Two Summer Reading Challenge this year, with prizes for children who read multiple books!

Tale For Two encourages children ages 6 – 15 to read aloud to adoptable animals at the SPCA. Animals benefit from the increased socialization and reduced stress levels, while children work on their literacy and reading skills, building their self-esteem and confidence.

This summer’s reading challenge sessions, available in groups of 6 (program cost $40) or 12 (program cost $70), are available on Tuesdays, June 18 – September 3, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter. Reading sessions are 30 minutes in length.

Children in kindergarten through fifth grade who read three books will receive a certificate of achievement, an SPCA pencil, and a wristband; five books earn the certificate, pencil, and humane-themed book; seven books earn the certificate, book, and an SPCA
T-shirt.

Children in grades six through 11 who read two books receive the certificate, pencil, and wristband; three books earn the certificate, book, and T-shirt; and five books earn the certificate, book, and an SPCA sweatshirt.

Children can bring their own reading materials, or make a selection from the SPCA’s library.

Readers and parents/guardians are required to attend one hour-long orientation session at the SPCA either Thursday, May 30,
5 p.m. or Saturday,
June
8, 3 p.m. (Please see below for information on how to register children for the challenge after June 8.)

Register for the Tale for Two Summer Reading Challenge and one orientation session right here >> (orientation dates have passed, but you can still register children for the challenge! Just contact Humane Education Director Christine Davis: HumaneEducation@yourspca.org.)

 

Please contact SPCA Humane Education Director Christine Davis with questions: HumaneEducation@yourspca.org.

See additional Tale for Two photos here >>

See the story on WKBW-TV’s website >>

 

SPCA Serving Erie County Offers Free Adoptions to Current and Past Military Members During Vets & Pets

May 13, 2019
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca 

To celebrate the men and women of the armed services this Memorial Day, the SPCA Serving Erie County offers “Vets & Pets,” waiving adoption fees on most animals for individuals on active duty, reserves, and honorable discharge, along with service-disabled veterans and those retired from military service.

Vets & Pets begins Saturday, May 18 and runs through Monday, May 27* at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter (closed on May 27) and all SPCA offsite adoption locations.

Photos of adoptable animals are available here, and a list of offsite adoption locations and addresses can be found here. Military ID or DD214 will need to be presented.

Vets & Pets is proudly sponsored by Nancy Gacioch of Buffalo, NY.!

Contact SPCA Adoptions with any questions: 716-875-7360, ext. 233.

*Please note: The SPCA’s West Seneca shelter is closed on the final day of Vets & Pets Monday, May 27, but many of the SPCA’s offsite adoption locations are open that day! That means you can still take advantage of the Vets & Pets adoption special! See a list of our offsite locations and photos of the animals available here!

Student Winners of SPCA Humane Poster & Creative Writing Contest Honored at Ceremony

May 9, 2019
Submitted by: SPCA Humane Education Department

Last night, area children were honored at a special ceremony at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter. The students won prizes in the SPCA’s 2019 Humane Poster & Creative Writing Contest.

This year’s student winners are:

The Anderson/Lowe Award for Artistic Ability:
Joseph Jordan – Buffalo, NY

The Stevens/Barrett Award for Creative Writing:
Louisa Gascoyne – East Aurora, NY

Most Creative Entry:
Ivyana Dragoo Depew, NY

Division 1 (I)
1st Owen Braley – Tapestry Charter School
2nd Christian Eckrote – Valley Community Center
3rd Isabella Dustin – Valley Community Center
Honorable Mention: Natalie Sprandel – Tonawanda, NY

Division 2 (II)
1st Oliver Bennett – Immaculate Conception School
2nd Mathew Mysiak – Holland, NY
3rd Pender Maya –Tapestry Charter School
Honorable Mention: Elise Murphy – Buffalo, NY

Division 3 (III)
1st Ceciella Giallella – Immaculate Conception School
2nd Sophia Costanzo – Orchard Park, NY
3rd Kaylie Kratz – St. Josephs School
Honorable Mention: Abbey Root – St. Joseph’s School

Division 4 (IV)
1st Sipharah Mast – Buffalo NY
2nd Kayla Dorman –Pathways Academy
3rd Amaya Fenandez – Buffalo, NY

Division 5 (V)
1st Shane Connolly – Stanley G. Falk School
2nd Haley Goodrich – Stanley G. Falk School
3rd Shadow Young – Stanley G. Falk School
Honorable Mentions:
Joseph Maracle – Stanley Makowski School
Jeremiah Garner – Stanley G. Falk School

Other winners include the Judy Silver Educator of the Year, Diane Evans, and this year’s Ambassador of Kindness, Vivian Guard.

For information on how you, your child/children, your class, or your school can become involved in the 2020 student competition, please contact SPCA Humane Educator Danielle Talbot at 716-875-7360, ext. 245 or daniellet@yourspca.org.

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