Animal abuse alleged at Maryland SPCA
Cecil County residents urge county commissioners to investigate blog’s assertions
By IRA PORTER • The News Journal • January 14, 2009
Tempers are flaring in Cecil County, Md., after a slew of allegations from animal advocates and former employees of the Cecil County SPCA about animal cruelty at the shelter.
During the public comment portion of a Tuesday night preliminary budget meeting, residents voiced their concerns to county commissioners and urged an investigation of the CCSPCA, at 3280 Augustine Herman Highway near Chesapeake City.
The allegations of animal mistreatment at the SPCA have been posted on a blog written by Upper Shore state Delegate Mike Smigiel. The blog includes a picture of a shed with bullet holes in the wall.
Smigiel’s blog lists alleged incidents in which an animal control officer took two dogs outside and shot them, then administered euthanasia drugs while they were still alive.
Smigiel’s blog claims that residents from the four counties he represents have complained about euthanasia of animals that were not aggressive or sick. The blog says former employees have come forward with the information.
“The people of Cecil County pay the SPCA to protect and care for homeless and stray animals. Never did we expect what we are hearing to be happening,” Cailey Locklair, Smigiel’s chief of staff, said at Tuesday night’s meeting.
