PSPCA Statement on Law Enforcement Operations

Philadelphia, August 26, 2008—“The PSPCA is disappointed that the Pocono Record would use the misinformation of disgruntled former employees as the basis of the article, ‘Humane Officers Routinely Sent to Work in Counties Where They are Not Sworn In,’ which appeared in the paper’s August 26 edition,” said PSPCA CEO Howard Nelson. “The claims made throughout the article by two former PSPCA humane officers are desperate attempts to undermine the integrity of our humane agents and our organization and is a mockery of the valuable, life saving rescue work our agents perform every day.”The PSPCA never asks its humane agents or staff to participate in illegal activities. “We never ask our officers to act as officers in counties where they are not sworn and registered,” said Nelson. “In those counties, they are answering calls as rescue agents—which is legal.”

James and Janeen Duff are animal hoarders. Animal hoarding is a sign of mental illness—in the Pocono Record article, Robert Martin, the Duff’s attorney, acknowledges that the Duffs “have emotional problems.”

“The Duffs could not care for their animals. They realized this and willfully surrendered them to the PSPCA,” said Nelson. “Unfortunately, two of the cats were in such poor health when surrendered to the PSPCA that they died within hours.”

“The article, as written in the Pocono Record, presents just one side of the story—unfounded claims presented by two former employees whose employment records show that they were not able to fulfill the job requirements of a humane officer,” said Nelson.

“The PSPCA’s law enforcement unit has a great reputation across the state and has received more than 8,000 calls regarding animals in need this year,” said Nelson. “It is unfortunate, but no surprise that two agents who were not meeting their assigned, legal job duties are trying to tarnish the impeccable record of the PSPCA law enforcement team by commenting on this one case. It is unfortunate that the Pocono Record has played into this attack on our organization from disgruntled and biased former employees.”

Former PSPCA Humane Agent Reba McDonald’s work quality was questionable. “She did not report to court when subpoenaed and she continually did not record her case records in our computer system,” said PSPCA Chief Programs Officer Elaine Skypala. “We have given her ample opportunity to present us instances where she felt she was treated wrongly or asked to conduct herself in an unethical manner. These requests have gone unanswered because Reba McDonald’s claims are unfounded.”
Former PSPCA Humane Officer Chris Martin refused to participate in a legal undercover investigation, for which he was going to be compensated by the PSPCA for gas for using his own unmarked car. “The PSPCA’s director of law enforcement, as well as an outside attorney and assistant district attorney all confirmed that this investigation was legal,” said Skypala. “Despite knowing this was a legal operation, Chris Martin refused to do his job.”

The email from Nelson reported in the article at “damage control” was taken completely out of context, as were the call logs of a current PSPCA agent.

“That email was written before the motion was filed in the Duff case,” said Nelson. “It was sent to clarify policies—which is one of my duties as CEO. It was in no way sent to ‘cover up’ any actions, as the article implies. Furthermore, regarding the case assignment of an agent not sworn in Monroe County, this is perfectly legal. He has the authority to act as animal rescue.”

Added Nelson, “The PSPCA has thousands of supporters across the state that recognize the difficult job we fulfill to save animals in need and to find loving adoptive homes for these animals. Many of these supporters are from Monroe County, as witnessed in recent blog postings on the Pocono Record website regarding another article:

Aug-23 28 of 121

From: Mentalfloss2
Total posts: 3

Shame on you Pocono Record for printing something that is speculation at the cost of the homeless animals. And, you Dr. Thompson, perhaps you should get the facts before you accuse anyone of anything. This article makes me sick.I volunteer at the shelter and I can STRONGLY tell you that none of this true. Those people working there are good people, ALL who have the animals best interest in mind. To accuse them of what this article does is a SIN.I just came home from the shelter and there are NOTHING but happy healthy animals there who need help and now because of the ignorance of this paper and one vet, they will have less of a chance. Hope this makes your day!

Aug-23 29 of 121

From: Mentalfloss2
Total posts: 3

One more thing… I will be starting a campaign to boycott your paper so anyone who believes this is not tolerable please feel free to contact me. My invitation is open to ALL those people who have been malaligned by this paper.

Aug-24 54 of 121

From: poundpuppies
Total posts: 7

It’s such a shame that the Pocono Record is so worried about sales that they need to print slander to fill the pages. I sent in a letter last week and requested they print it and I guess that wasn’t gossipy enough for them. Here’s what they should have been telling the community….I am a volunteer with the PSPCA Adoption Center in Stroudsburg and one of the founding members of a group called Friends of Monroe County Homeless Animals (FOMCHA). Our group works hand in hand with the PSPCA in Monroe County to help find homes for the animals in the adoption center and make the lives of those animals residing there as comfortable as possible. Along with the adoption center staff, we are there everyday, working tirelessly and facing the problems that plague the homeless animals in Monroe County….”

The Pennsylvania SPCA is dedicated to rescuing animals from abuse and neglect, providing lifesaving care and treatment, guaranteeing a home for every adoptable animal, and reducing pet-overpopulation through low-cost spay-and-neuter clinics and public awareness initiatives. Through these efforts, we prevent cruelty towards animals and promote respect for their welfare, thus enhancing the lives of people and their companion animals throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PSPCA has six satellite shelters in Wellsboro, Centre Hall, Danville, Stroudsburg, Shippenville and Montrose. The Philadelphia branch houses a full-service animal hospital, obedience training academy, adoption facility and the PSPCA Law Enforcement Department, which is responsible for enforcing Philadelphia and Pennsylvania animal cruelty laws. For more information, call 215-426-6300 or visit www.pspca.org.

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Source: http://www.pspca.org/news?id=129

Madras Comments

Nelson states, “The claims made throughout the article by two former PSPCA humane officers are desperate attempts to undermine the integrity of our humane agents and our organization and is a mockery of the valuable, life saving rescue work our agents perform every day.”

Attempting to paint a picture of PSPCA as an organization that performs “valuable, life saving rescue work” is a bit of a stretch. PSPCA seems to be more about hunting down and prosecuting humans… not about saving animals. And in their zeal to pursue that goal, they are losing sight of the animals that the organization was founded to help.

PSPCA needs to decide whether it wants to be an animal rescue organization or a law enforcement operation. They are trying to play two different games, and aren’t succeeding at either one.