ohmidog!

State Delegate Michael Smigiel reported on his blog yesterday that he’s received comments from more hundreds of people in connection with the Cecil County SPCA, many of them containing new allegations of abuse and mismanagement.

“Originally, there were only three former employees, a few former volunteers and numerous citizens who had reported problems to my office about abuse of animals and financial mismanagement at the CCSPCA,” Smigiel wrote. “Subsequent to publishing a few of those accounts on this blog, over five hundred people have posted comments on this blog, called my office, mailed my office or came by personally. (Over 33,000 have logged onto this site, so far.)”

Smigiel added that “many new allegations about previous sadistic acts against these innocent animals have also come to light … We are busy collecting sworn statements from those who make allegations about animal abuse and will provide them to prosecutors.”

Representatives of the Cecil County SPCA decided this week not to attend a county commissioners meeting to discuss allegations of abuse that have been raised by Smigiel and and others because of threats of physical harm, SPCA President Nancy Schwerzler said.

In a letter provided to the county commissioners, Schwerzler said allegations being raised by state Smigiel are “not supported by facts” and that the Cecil County SPCA does not “routinely” shoot dogs.

Here is the letter in its entirety.

We had intended to be here in person tonight to address the commissioners regarding allegations against the SPCA posted on Del. Michael Smigiel’s blog. However, due to threats of physical harm made against people associated with the SPCA, we have decided to present this statement instead and have asked our supporters not to place themselves at risk either.

There is no one who supports First Amendment rights of free speech more than I do. However, I believe we are rapidly approaching the point of “shouting fire in a crowded theater,” a point at which the line of free speech is crossed.

I spoke again today (Tuesday) to the Deputy Attorney General and was again assured that that agency would follow through with its inquiries. I pledged our full cooperation and would not want to impede such an independent inquiry by responding in kind to the many intemperate attacks published on Del. Smigiel’s blog.

Nevertheless, I will respond to key points:

• The SPCA complies with all state, federal and humane organization laws and protocols for humane euthanasia when necessary due to illness or temperament. Dogs and cats that must be euthanized receive a sedative administered by our staff veterinarian, followed by an injection of the euthanasia drug. For years, shelters all over Maryland that do not have a staff vet must, by law, euthanize without administering a sedative first — a much less humane process than ours. The law was changed last year, but has not been fully implemented yet, to allow non-vets to give a sedative first.

• The SPCA does not “shoot” dogs or cats routinely on its property in Chesapeake City as alleged. As Del. Smigiel and the commissioners know, about two years ago a dangerous dog broke through a kennel, attacked an employee, broke through perimeter fencing and ran toward the highway at a time when children walk to a nearby school. The dog’s behavior indicated possible rabies infection. A tranquilizer dart would not have worked fast enough or at that range and a quick decision had to be made: the dog was shot and killed instantly, with a shotgun kept for emergencies, before it could reach the road. If your children were at risk, what would you do?

• Pictures of animals are always emotional. Pictures of remains in a crematorium are even more so. Someone took a picture of animal remains, including those of animals brought by private vet hospitals for cremation. It is emotional but not indicative of any wrongdoing. Cremation of deceased animals is an appropriate process. Remains are not “stored” in the crematorium for any more time than necessary for the cremation process.

• The Cecil County SPCA has consistently documented to the County Commissioners during the budget process that it offers animal control contract services at the lowest per capita cost in the Upper Shore region. Indeed, the most costly services are rendered through the only government-operated animal control program in the region—Queen Anne’s county, which has a population about half that of Cecil.

• The SPCA provides the county commissioners with quarterly and annual reports, prepared by an outside accountant, documenting animal control expenditures. The reports show the SPCA has consistently lost money on its fixed-price animal control contract. The SPCA also reports all of the organization’s finances and donations to the federal IRS, with documentation available for review on the Internet.