Cecil County SPCA Press Release Is Full Of Errors And Omissions.

 The Cecil County SPCA sent out a press release last week in an attempt to spin a letter to the Cecil County State’s Attorney into a exoneration of all the allegations made against their agency by 16 individuals who came forward and presented complaints about the agency to State Delegate  Michael D. Smigiel, Sr.

 

The CCSPCA claims to be vindicated because one witness out of 22 possible (16 who came forward with complaints and at least 5 people at CCSPCA) was asked to take a polygraph and was told she failed. (The witness denies ever admitting that she lied) The witness, states,  before the test,  she was accused by the officer of being a drug user and was told she was in trouble. She states she was upset by the police before she took the test and then questioned  about whether her husband beats her. She said she felt like she was the defendant not a witness and did not understand why the police were asking about her husband beating her since she was there to testify about animal abuse and neglect she had witnessed while working at the CCSPCA.  ,Her husband states he is, and was, willing to take a polygraph, he just could not do it during working hours. He agreed to take a polygraph either after work or during the weekend but the police would not accommodate his work schedule.

 

The CCSPCA does not mention in their press release that according to State’s Attorney Newell, “several of the animal control officers alleged to be involved in various incidents declined  to take polygraph tests as well, as I understand it. As you well know, results of polygraph tests, or refusals to submit to polygraph testing, are inadmissible in criminal cases, but it may raise a question of their sincerity in the eyes of the public.”

 

According to Ms. Schwerzler, she was not even asked to take a polygraph! The report mentions nothing about Ms. Susan Maldonado, the Director, Ms. Deeming nor the Veterinarian, Dr. Mc Dermott.   All the other witnesses who came forward, including the former volunteers and citizens who just visited  the facilities relate that they were not even asked to take polygraphs despite their volunteering to do so.

 

Some of those witnesses whom the State Police investigator may have wanted to ask to take a polygraph include but are not limited to:

 

1.  Deputy Laura Jones- Who came forward with the heartbreaking story of what happened to her two beautiful Akitas.
2. Thomas Bishop-A young teenage volunteer who states he witnessed dogs being kicked, thrown and slammed when they would not go into their kennels. He also reports seeing animals operated on when Dr. McDermott was not present.
3. Patti Clifton – Who states her dog, Pizza, was killed with a “heart stick” without being sedated.  
4. Jennifer Snellings Barber – WhoseDog, Molly, died according to her, because of the Vets failure to attend to the Dog after a surgery.
5. Ruth Ann Sargent – The owner of, TeTe, who she states, was shot several times by the animal control officer, Jerry Hawkins, as she and her  children begged him not to shoot the dog who was running away from the officer towards the woods. 
6. Erin Miller – Whose affidavit says she participated in giving the euthanizing drugs, even though she was not trained or listed with the State as authorized to do so.  She also swears she was present on at least two occasions when dogs were restrained with a catch pole  around the neck, while the animal control officer (who refuses to be polygraphed) shot the dog through the chest with his  handgun.  She swears the dogs were still alive so she had to get a sedative then a euthanasia drug to put the pets down after they had been shot.  Ms Miller is still willing to take a polygraph but was never asked!  These accusations are totally ignored.

 Instead, the State’s Attorney focused on her accusations about botched operations and said they were just gut feelings. He also dismisses a corroborating internal E-mail which was sent to her by Ms. Deeming. The State’s Attorney said he could not prove it came from Ms. Deeming, yet they did not go through her computer files to see.  Equally disturbing is that the State’s Attorney      wrote in his report that “the CCSPCA suggests that Ms. Miller is a disgruntled former employee with an ax to grind, fired for poor    work ethic and suspicion of involvement in a bungled burglary along with an allegedly abusive drug seeking boyfriend. ”  Ms. Miller    reports she had never been asked about the CCSPCA suggestions. They are not true and irrelevant to the allegations of animal abusea and neglect.   What we do know is that Ms. Deeming wrote the following about Erin Miller while she was working there:

 

                        ”You on the other hand, do care about the animals, are very pleasant with the clients and do your job the best you know how.”

 

                        All that is needed is to find out if she is telling the truth about seeing the dogs shot in the side while being restrained by   the neck on a catch pole.  Certainly a polygraph would be helpful. Yet, no one on this list was even asked to take a    polygraph even though they, along with others have agreed to. 

 

CCSPCA’s press releases do not discuss are the following statements which were in Mr. Newell’s June 1, 2009 letter; Mr. Newell’s “first recommendation”  was to “recommend that the County decide whether they want to continue with the current system of contracting out the animal control function or develop their own county department of animal control, with the immediate oversight available for any other county department. Assuming the County Commissioners do not want to change the overall structure, I would wholeheartedly recommend that the Sheriff, and County Commissioner, and any Assistant State’s Attorneys withdraw from direct service to the CCSPCA, and if necessary revise any ordinance that requires their service….”

 

State’s Attorney Newell further wrote:  “the specific allegation that the director, Jean Demming, is benefiting from a relationship between the CCSPCA and her private purebred rescue is more troubling. While that relationship does not appear to be illegal, per se, it certainly has the appearance of impropriety to the extent it implicates tax dollars. I would recommend that the director sever all ties between the two entities, if any exist. Given the generous salary currently offered to the director, I think it would be reasonable to restrict her ablity to operate a side business that has financial dealings with the CCSPCA….”    

 

 

The Board President, Ms. Nancy Schwerzler, accuses Mr. Newell of falsly claiming that a fired employee, Mr. Carl Ewing, had an attorney hired for him by the Cecil County SPCA.  Yet, in his letter of June 9, 2009 State’s Attorney, Newell, states the following:  

 

        ”In Mr. Ewing’s CCSPCApersonnel file is a letter from his attorney, copied to Deeming, describing how he would be able to get out on work releaseand keep his driving license, while describing how the CCSPCA was going to oversee the payment fo his legal fees.  Later, legal invoices were sent directly to Ms. Deeming at the shelter’s address. Again, such actions are not illegal, but in my view inappropriate considering the degree to which CCSPCA is taxpayer funded.”  

In her June 8, 2009 letter to the Veteranary Board investigating the Vets activities at CCSPCA, the Director Ms. Deeming makes the statement that “CCSPCA did not pay Mr. Ewing’s legal fees.” 

Ms. Deeming then tells writes that Mr. Ewing, while being represented by Mr. Smigiel, last week, accepted a plea bargain admitting theft of fencing from CCSPCA.  This statement is absolutely false! In fact, the court was told that Mr. Ewing does not admit to any wrong doing but was willing to accept the State’s offer for a Stet Docket.  Ms. Deeming would have known this had she stayed in the court but she left moments after I arrived to defend Mr. Ewing. (Which I did for free because I believe the allegations were retaliation for his whistleblowing about the mistreatment and neglect of animals at CCSPCA) Delegate Smigiel also obtained an ethics opinion which concludes the Delegate’s actions in this regard were entirely appropriate. Delegate Smigiel has authorized the full publication of the ethics opinion which will be posted at a later date.

We will be posting additional facts which have been withheld or distorted by the CCSPCA in the near future.

Cecil County SPCA Investigation Concludes – Questions Persist

As you may recall, numerous allegations of the atrocious treatment of animals have been made against the Cecil County SPCA. Apparently, the politics of this is much more important than actually performing a thorough investigation of ALL the facts of the case .

What follows is part one of my analysis of the so called “investigation of all the facts”.

On June 1, 2009 the State’s Attorney for Caroline County, Mr. Jonathan Newell, sent a letter to the Cecil County State’s Attorney (Chris Eastridge) stating that he had completed reviewing  ” the volumes of photographs and documents ” he had been furnished with regarding the allegations of abuse and neglect of animals as it related to the Cecil County Society for Prevention of Animals (CC SPCA).

While there are many recommendations for changes to the current manner of running the CC SPCA (which I will cover in a future posting) there are some interesting additions to the report which I am struggling to understand and have asked to have explained by those responsible for them.

Numerous calls to Mr. Newell’s office have gone unanswered to date.  I was at the meeting of the CC SPCA committee last Tuesday night when Mr. Eastridge came to speak. Mr Eastridge told the committee he had just received the report from Mr. Newell that day and he would be providing the Commissioners a copy of it the next day.

Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. I called Mr. Eastridge’s office and asked if he could please call me ASAP about the CC SPCA letter from Mr. Newell. I also explained I had called Mr. Newell three times over the last few days but had yet to hear back from him. I left a message for Mr. Eastridge, that Mr. Newell had erroneously stated in his letter that I was representing a former employee “at taxpayer expense”.  Not only is this allegation incorrect it is impossible since I am not a public defender.

Particularly troubling is the fact that I was never interviewed as part of the investigation despite the fact that the complaints were initiated by my office after we had been contacted by a visitor to the shelter who was appalled at what she had seen.

After reading this unfounded and defamatory(not to mention IRRELEVANT) statement in the report on the allegations into the alleged animal abuse and mismanagement of the CC SPCA I called the officer who had conducted the investigations to ask him why he would have included such a thing in his report.

I was surprised to learn from the investigating officer that he had not written anything about me in his report. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that the false statement about my representation of these complainants at “taxpayer expense” had to have been added by the State’s Attorney Mr. Newell.

Still having not received  any response from Mr. Newell, I called the State Legislative Ethics Counsel and requested an opinion as to whether such a statement could even be possible.  Mr. Somerville quickly responded with a letter indicating that ” I would not consider any of your actions in that regard to have been carried out “at taxpayer expenses”.   “Circumstances were such that the criminal charge may have constituted retaliation against a “whistle blower”.  You offered to represent the individual, pro bono, in the matter.”

I faxed a copy of the letter from the legislative ethics counsel to the Cecil County States Attorney, Mr. Eastridge on June 4, asking that the statement be stricken before the report was disseminated. I explained that not only was the information about me incorrect but there was also incorrect information about Mr and Mrs Ewing and Ms. Erin Miller. I demanded an apology and explanation from Mr. Newell but to date I still have not heard from either States’ Attorney.

I was told by a third party that Mr. Newell has realized he was in error and that he is going to reissue a new report without the defamatory statement claiming that, at “taxpayer expense,”  I am representing someone alleged to have stolen from the CC SPCA.  Unfortunately, I am also informed Mr. Newell intends to add the new accusation that my pro bono representation of this former employee of the CC SPCA is a “conflict of interest”

According to the State Legislative Ethics counsel, Mr. William Somerville.: ” I do not see the existence of a conflict of interest. First of all, you are not being financially advantaged by any of your actions in this matter. Indeed, the provision of free legal service is a detriment to your law practice.  Secondly, I believe that both actions-your advocacy for the investigation of possible abuses by the CC SPCA, and your pro bono legal representation-constitute complementary parts {of} a single interest, rather than separate and conflicting interests.  Your representation of the witness, who may be the victim of retaliation for his testimony, serves to encourage other citizens to come forward with information about possible impropriety affecting the county, in this particular matter as well as in future matters. For these reasons it is my opinion that there is no conflict of interest…”

Unfounded accusations in this report were not limited to myself.  Mrs. Erin Miller had signed a sworn affidavit telling how she, personally had participated in euthanizing animals despite the fact, she had not been properly trained or listed with the State as employed to do so. She also included in her sworn affidavit the details of  instances where she was required to euthanize two dogs which were held on catch poles and then shot through the chest by an animal control officer with his handgun. Ms Miller agreed to take a polygraph test if requested to do so. Yet, the State Police investigators never asked her to take a polygraph. All of the CC SPCA animal control officers refuse to be polygraphed and she volunteers to be polygraphed, yet is not.  What is wrong with this picture?

The reason given for not believing the affidavit of Ms Miller, according to Mr. Newell’s letter of June 1, is that “ the CC SPCA suggests that Ms Miller is a disgruntled former employee with an ax to grind, fired for poor work ethic and suspicion of involvement in a bungled burglary along with an abusive drug seeking boyfriend. Ms. Miller states the first time she ever heard of these “suggestions” and “suspicions” was when I read them to her from the June 1, 2009 letter.  No one, during the investigation, ever raised these accusations with her. She states quite clearly that these allegations are untrue and unfair.

Ms. Miller’s testimony would appear to be some of the most compelling and relevant since she personally participated in the activities she relates.  Clearly,  the reported shooting of these dogs would be prosecutable if a jury or judge believed her. After all, the State’s Attorney Newell, himself, wrote that “if cats were shot and intentionally left to suffer in the manner described by the Ewings, it would certainly constitute a violation of the criminal abuse statute.

Ms. Miller swears in her affidavit, that two dogs were held steady on catch poles around their necks and then summarily shot through the chest area but did not die, so she (personally) then administered a sedative and then a euthanasia  drug to kill the dogs.  Yet, she is not given a polygraph, even though she volunteers to take one! The animal control officer refuses to take a polygraph.   This event is reported to have occurred in the spring of 2008 and is thus within any statute of limitations, but no charges will be filed.  No polygraph is to be given to  Ms. Miller, who is willing to take one and remember that all the animal control officers refused to take polygraphs, according to Mr. Newell’s report.

How can we trust ANYTHING in this report if it can  get it so wrong with the allegations manufactured against numerous people and failed to pursue such patently obvious abuse as shooting dogs with a handgun while they are being restrained on a catch pole?

I will address the other errors involving the Ewings and others, shortly, in my next posting. In the interim, I am going to try to get an apology and an explanation of why innuendo and character assassinations are occurring within what should have been a compilation of facts regarding the allegations brought by the former volunteers, visitors and employees of the CC SPCA.

Stay tuned, as they say in politics, you can’t make this stuff up!

Cecil County S.P.C.A. problems persist, public concerned, Commissioners oblivious.

Several times a week I continue to receive complaints about the Cecil County SPCA.  I usually try to get someone to volunteer to help, thankfully there are many good hearted people still involved who help whenever asked. Occasionally, there is a situation like this one that need the Commissioners to put pressure on the appropriate local agencies to find a way to help.  Please contact the Commissioner’s and the new SPCA task force to ask that they help address this immediate situation and perhaps formulate a policy that will assure future circumstances such as this can be handled more efficiently to prevent the slow death of  faithful pets left unattended in a home.

Dear Delegate Smigiel:

 I had the pleasure of meeting you at the vigil that was held in Cecil County in January of this year.  I am writing you today as I am very concerned about animals in a home down the street.  And, more specifically, I am alarmed at the lack of response from the SPCA.

 A concerned neighbor called my husband and I tonight, telling us that the home next to her at 120 Kirkcaldy Drive, Elkton has had no one home for nearly a week and no one checking in and caring for the three dogs and multiple cats.  She called the SPCA this afternoon and was told that they cannot do anything unless there is “probable cause”.  Considering the SPCA is armed with the mission of “preventing cruelty”, I am unsure of what more “probable cause” is needed for them to act.  These animals will die without food and water.  The cats’ bowls can be seen from a window and their empty.  The cats were jumping at the windows trying to get to the neighbor and myself when we went to see if we could get in through an unlocked door to help.  One cat was hanging onto the door – digging into the wood with his nails so that we could see him. 

 Anyway, we’ve since learned that the lady who lives there may have been committed to a mental hospital for treatment.  A message was left at the hospital where she may be; however, due to confidentiality, staff cannot confirm nor deny her presence there. 

 The neighbor who informed me of the situation called the police as well and they said they cannot do anything.  So, the police cannot do anything and the SPCA cannot do anything.  Neighbors will be charged with breaking and entering if we do something.  We’re just supposed to sit by and later hear that these animals died. 

 It would be a beautiful world if people would start standing up and saying “this is what I can do” instead of “I can’t ….”.  Why couldn’t the SPCA say “we’ll drive to residence and take a look”? Tell us what they can do.  Often times, it’s not that they CANNOT do, it’s that they are  not willing to do.  If the staff fails to drive to the residence in question, how will any issues validating “probable cause” even be witnessed?  That’s the key.  They don’t want to witness anything because then they have to take action.

 Delegate Smigiel, it’s a disgrace that the SPCA continues to function this way even with the media scrutiny.  There is a complete lack of concern for these pets.  It’s quite possible that a dead pet(s) will be the result of this non-action.  When the pet owner was hospitalized previously, she failed to have a neighbor care for the pets and one of her dogs did die. 

 Please do whatever is in your power to contact the proper people and act swiftly.  I am very serious when I tell you that these pets are in a very cruel situation and our local SPCA is failing to act at all. 

 I am sending a copy of this email to them as well. 

 Thank you for your help.

 Kathy S. Creek

HB 861:Operating on Animals without a License UPDATE!

HB 861: Operating on Animals without a Veterinary License, passed on second reader in the House of Delegates yesterday which means it is almost out of the House and will cross over to the Senate to be voted on.

The bill punishes those who operate on animals without a veterinary license on a first offense with a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment not exceeding a year or both.  For a second or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $6,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years or both.

ABC2News: Task Force Appointed to Study Cecil County SPCA Claims

From ABC 2 News —-

Task Force Appointed to Study Cecil County SPCA Claims

The task force appointed to study the claims of animal abuse against the Cecil County SPCA met for the first time Wednesday night.

The 13 member panel appointed by the county commission is charged with making recommendations to improve animal control services that protect the public’s health and safety.

The group will look at who would be the best provider of animal control services, draft performance standards, best practices and how they can be monitored.

“I feel good about this task force,” said Cecil County Commissioner Robert Hodge, “I really want this problem to be solved.”

A final report is due back to the Cecil County Commission by May, 15th.

Meanwhile the county also issued a request for proposal for other companies to bid on animal control services in the county.  Those bids are due back by the end of this month.  Who is chosen to run the SPCA in Cecil County will depend heavily on the findings of the task force and outcome of two ongoing but separate investigations by the Maryland State Police and the State Veterinary Board.

Article Continues on ABC 2 News

CanalSide: Cecil SPCA News Update: Reports from Neighborhood Allegedy Went Unheeded

Post From CanalSide —–

Cecil SPCA News Update : Reports from Neighborhood Allegedly Went Unheeded

CanalSide spoke briefly this afternoon with Ms Connie McIlwain of Rising Sun, Md, whose pet goats were killed last Saturday by german shepherds belonging to nearby neighbors. (watch WJZ News report here) Ms McIlwain described ongoing complaints about the property at 197 Hopewell Lane in Rising Sun, from which the dogs, (now in quarantine at the Cecil County SPCA for lack of proof of rabies innoculations and licenses) escaped. Ms. McIlwain stated that, while generally she tries to “mind her own business”, that after the carnage of last Saturday she feels it is time to “get involved”. She cited numerous complaints by neighbors about the dogs running at large and “barking in the middle of the night”. According to neighbors, the german shepherds “constantly chase the horses” which live within the confines of the property.

The horses, which allegedly stand knee deep in mud day and night, apparently weren’t as easy a target for the dangerous dogs as were Ms. McIlwain’s goats, who suffered a brutal and agonizing death this past week. We have growing concern for the welfare of the horses on the property and whether or not the CCSPCA has volunteered to investigate their condition, as well as the remaining dogs. According to tonight’s report on WJZ news, an attorney representing the property owner denies responsibility for the death of Ms McIlwain’s goats. Based on this, and the photographs taken at the scene, we believe there will be ongoing denial of any wrongdoing whatsoever, and that the Cecil County SPCA is following a policy of “limited involvement”.

Ms McIlwain also stated that during the many times she and others have contacted the Cecil County SPCA regarding this matter, they have spoken to (or left messages for) a “Captain” Hawkins, as the taped answering machine message identifies the animal Control Officer for the CCSPCA. A recent article posted on “ZooToo.com” about the abuse allegations at the Cecil SPCA also refers to the animal control officer employee as “Captain” Hawkins. (The article also states that calls placed to CCSPCA staff were not returned.)

Post Continues on CanalSide

Blog Reader Announces Protest for Saturday

PROTEST #5 ( LOSING COUNT BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR WAY TOO LONG!)

WHEN-SATURDAY FEB 21RST

TIME-11:00

LOCATION-RTE 213&40

WHAT TO BRING-SIGNS -ANYTHING IS FITTING AT THIS POINT!!

COSTUMES WELCOMED AND APPRECIATED!!!!

KEEP UP THE FAITH EVERYONE!!

CanalSide: Fury Mounts – Cecil Animal Lovers Standing Tough – CCSPCA Director on Defensive

From CanalSide ——

FURY MOUNTS – CECIL ANIMAL LOVERS STANDING TOUGH – CCSPCA DIRECTOR ON DEFENSIVE

Protesters and activists took to the intersection at Rt 40 & Rt 213 in Elkton, Maryland for the fourth time this year, to get the message out about conditions at the Cecil County SPCA. Accoring to Melanie Bass, there were several new faces in this week’s group, including a larger-than-life St. Bernard!

As county commissioners have their newly assigned “work study” group “study” the situation, MD State Police investigate allegations of abuse, and the SPCA mounts a “save our image at all costs” PR campaign, activists plan to continue pressing forward for as long as necessary, until all stray and unwanted dogs and cats in Cecil County can be assured the safety and compassion they deserve.

Continues on CanalSide

Someone Noticed: Cecil County Editor & Publisher Offers Observations . . .

From Someone Noticed

By Dan Meadows

I had a magazine once, for a short time. Some of you may remember it, Pet Companions Magazine. We wrote about all sorts of pet-related issues, both serious and not so. Dog biscuit recipes, books on animal topics, articles about animal welfare issues, and most importantly, a big, two-page list of rescues and shelters of all kinds in this region. I even gave away the back cover, the most prime area of real estate in each issue, to a different rescue or shelter every month. We had money in the bank, issues on the street, and people knew the name. Everywhere I went, I was greeted with smiles and folks would tell me how much they looked forward to the new edition, and how excited they were to do the new crossword puzzle. I liked that part the best, I think. I spent two or three hours each month writing all the clues for that puzzle; people with names like animals, cars named after animals, and best of all, lots of questions about old cartoon character animals. I’ve always wanted to work Foghorn Leghorn into something I’ve done. Well, that’s one life’s dream satisfied, anyway.

But now its gone, sucked away in the great fiscal hurricane of 2008, and all that’s left behind is the rubble of collection notices and former friends. Some days, I don’t even miss it. There’s something oddly compelling in getting up, going to work, putting in your eight hours and heading home to start all over again. No decisions to be made more important than whether or not I need gas, no thoughts required short of what I need to get through. But most days, it kills me.

Article Continues on Someone Noticed

Deeming requests public to comment to commissioners on her character.

Jeanne Deeming is requesting that citizens write in to the County Commissioners to vouch  for her character.  The only problem is that at least one citizen left the request for Jeanne to review the document on the top of the letter.    Let’s help Jeanne by writing in to the County Commissioners and letting them know what you think of her character.  (Please note, you do not need to seek her approval of your letter first)

Email to County Commissioners Follows ——

Jeanne:

See how this sounds and let me know. We will send it off to Com. Lockhart

Dear Commissioner Lockhart:

As long time Cecil County residents and a family that cares about animal welfare, we as many others are concerned about the recent allegations concerning the Cecil County SPCA. We have been long time supporters of the SPCA and have volunteered our time and money to the shelter and its various causes. We also have adopted our dog and one of our cats from the CCSPCA and on several occasions sponsored other animals for adoption. When our son was a toddler we visited the shelter once a week to play with the cats in the open cat room. We would also visit the many dogs at the shelter. Although our son is now in school and not able to visit as often, we still make occasional visits to see the animals and the staff, and we continue to contribute to the shelter financially. Never during this time have we observed or heard of any type of animal abuse taking place at the facility. In addition, we have known Ms. Deeming and Ms. Schwerzler and many of the shelter staff for almost ten years, and never during this time have we had any question that they are anything but professional in their care for the many animals at the shelter. Unfortunately, the county budget for the facility does not support a no-kill policy, and some animals must be euthanized humanely, whether due to physical condition or unsuitability for adoption or overcrowding; such a reality may be difficult for some to accept. The important thing is that the shelter activities are carried out in accordance with the law and in a humane manner.

We are very disappointed in the manner that the allegations have been made, and the apparent effort to discredit the hard and dedicated work of the shelter staff. It is clear that Delegate Smigiel has done his best to do the maximum damage to the shelter in the current budget cycle. It is incredulous to us that he is relying on allegations by individuals such as Teresa VanScoy, someone apparently fired from the shelter over 12 years ago, to justify these challenges against the shelter. If Ms. VanScoy’s motives were truly based on the best interests of the animals, one must seriously question why she is only now raising these concerns to the authorities. We fully support the investigation by the various agencies in Maryland and outside animal welfare organizations. We hope that the Cecil County Board of Commissioners allows the full investigation to go forward before making any moves to cut the shelter budget or change the current animal control contract with the shelter.

Dan & Carol White
[material removed to protect privacy]

Two dogs share a tale.

A post from the comments section of the blog

In response to Kathy, Here is the story from Canal Side: (Jen and I called each other at exactly 5:14pm, with 2 dogs that were hit by cars and we took care of)
A very strange thing happened yesterday in Cecil County. Two of my friends witnessed two different stray dogs get hit by cars. Not so odd perhaps, except it was at the exact same time of day. The two women called me and each other and anyone else who might be able to help.They were both frantic and upset. This was during yesterday’s rush hour.

Here is an edit of Ms Melanie Bass’ first person account from yesterday’s events…..
“As Jennifer and I said good bye after a quick lunch in Elkton, we departed. She went her way and I went mine.
While driving home, I witnessed a small old dog get hit by a car on Biggs hwy, No one stopped. I stopped traffic and put my car in the middle of the lane. A school bus stopped as well. I sat in the middle of the road to comfort the dog. Of course, people were beeping for me to move, and I would not budge. The dog was crying and I was able to move him to the side of the road. A wonderful and kind State Trooper, who was off duty, offered to help. He called the SPCA and they were closed. He said he had an emergency number, and of course…no answer!!!
He called my vet in PA for me and they said “come on in”. The dog was old, thin, full of flies, and was hurt due to the car hit. The vet and his techs were so compassionate! Knowing this was an old dog, the SPCA would most likely just thrown it in a kennel until the vet could get to it, and who knows the end result. My vet offered to help immediately!
Meanwhile, Jen was in Elkton chasing a yellow lab mix that she witnessed get hit twice. NO ONE stopped. She was yelling at cars, just like me.
Jenn called me and I called her at exactly 5:14pm.

Serendipity????

When I came home, I called her (not knowing she had left me messages regarding the dog she found) She was crying and frantic, had this dog in her car, and didn’t know what to do or where to go. She had almost no gas left in her car and very little money.

I called my vet. They could not believe it! They stayed open late and waited for me. (note: we had called Middletown Animal Hospital in Delaware and were told the doctor was just leaving)
Jenn brought the dog to my house, and we drove AGAIN to my vet in Oxford.
My vet has named the dogs: Stray 1 and Stray 2.
Guess how much for the final bill folks? $152.00. This included emergency service, fluids, food, and overnight stay!!”

One of the dogs was elderly and will probably not make it. The other dog, a young black lab that had obviously escaped from an abusive situation, will need a good home. Thanks to these two angels for the dogs and a very compassionate vet in Oxford, PA (just over the state line north of Rising Sun) these dogs received emergency care at a modest price. (they did the old guy for FREE) And for the record, Cecil County SPCA’s emergency number was not functioning when an off duty trooper tried to call it.
This big hearted vet deserves some recognition!

Dog and Cat Food Bank

We are a group of Cecil County Citizens who have been supplying the needy citizens and animals of the County with food in order to keep to KEEP THEM OUT OF THE CCSPCA. We have been routinely supplying dog food to the needy/ homeless in this area, as well as providing their animals with much needed medical care.

We have been operating out of our homes for years and now have the opportunity to distribute through the Ray Of Hope Mission Center. This is our first run publicly so please have patience as we work out the details tomorrow. We invite anyone in need to come and pick up food. We also invite anyone with food,supplies or blankets drop it off at this location between 10 am and noon TOMORROW ( Friday Feb 13). If you cannot make it to the distribution and need food or have supplies to donate, please contact us at

DOG FOOD/CAT FOOD BANK

Ray of Hope Mission Center

920 Craigtown Rd. Port Deposit Md

Date: Friday Feb. 13,2009

Time: 10 am -noon

CanalSide: “CCSPCA Not Your Community Animal Shelter – Refuses to Give Vets Records . . .

From CanalSide – - -

Approximately three weeks ago, Cecil County resident Gretchen Walz adopted a small, mixed breed dog from the Cecil County SPCA, for which she paid $300. She was told by staff the high cost was due to vet fees for surgery that had been performed by Greg McDermott, the in-house veterinarian, to remove an embedded collar.“animal control advisory committee”.

Today Ms Walz called the CCSPCA to request vet records for the dog. She was informed by CCSPCA employee Susan Maldanado that they were not legally required to provide said records, as the dog was not the “property” of Ms Walz when the surgery was performed. Ms Walz was unable to get director Jeanne A Deeming or Dr. McDermott to come to the telephone.  So, although Ms Walz was charged an excessive fee for the dog based on “cost of surgery”, she is not entitled to veterinary records from said surgery.  Ms. Walz now has to go to her regular veterinarian and pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 to have the dog’s stitches from that surgery removed.

CanalSide has also received reports that another Cecil County resident is going to file a FOIA request to obtain any and all records from the Cecil County Shelter, including an alleged document given to Commissioner Hodge by SPCA president Nancy Schwerzler containing the names of the people she personally requested to be on the

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CecilPets: “Cecil Whig Allegedly is Discarding Letters to the Editor”

From Cecil Pets —-

Cecil Whig allegedly is discarding letters to the editor

More than one person has come forward with the complaint that their Letter to the Editor sent to The Whig has not been printed.   The determining factor seems to be if the letter supports an investigation of the SPCA or is negative towards SPCA in any way.

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Someone Noticed: Commissioners Hold Closed Door Session to Request Proposals for Animal Control Services

From Someone Noticed —–

When we picked up the Whig this morning, we read that the county commissioners have prepared a Request for Proposals to see if there are any capable organizations interested in delivering animal control services in Cecil County.  While the RFP is an appropriate step, what disappoints us is “that document was supposed to be reviewed during the commissioners closed door session,” the Whig reported.

The purpose of an RFP is to allow the county to advertise for quotes.  Why should such a public document need to be discussed behind closed doors? It escapes us for that is exactly the type of people’s business you want to conduct in the public, especially with the tangle associated with the SPCA matter.  If this item was discussed before the public, the interested stakeholders could monitor the discussion (which helps improve trust) and then perhaps offer constructive comments or new ideas.

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Someone Noticed Compares Whig’s Attitude Toward Closed Door Meetings with Other Paper in Region

Someone Noticed has commented on how the Whig responds to closed door meetings and the blog compares that paper’s response to the Kent County News.

From Someone Noticed —

We subscribe to the Kent County News because that weekly knows how to covers its political beat, reporting on what is happening at town and county meetings and presenting it as it unfolds in the open sessions. Periodically when the elected officials hold closed doors meetings, the neighboring paper is quick to challenge that decision in editorials and through the legal system. Such detailed, careful reporting of what goes on in public meetings is a critical role newspapers play in helping to keep a balance in the political process and it is an important way editors add value to their product.

Article Continues on Someone Noticed.

CanalSide: Notes From Today’s Commissioners Meeting

Notes From Today’s Cecil Commissioners Meeting Animal Control Advisory Committee Member Recommendations 2-09 NAME EXPERTISE ADDRESS

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