PA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Abuse of Power

[Dredly]

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbc...NEWS/812210331

If they can seize your animals...

[Dredly]

and in addition to the first article... now they are letting them carry guns as well.

I can't think of a single time when a PSPCA officer should EVER be at a location without police escort.

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbc...NEWS/812210332

The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals could soon have more authority.

Humane officers will be armed — and they may become exempt from lawsuits.
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Officers will start carrying guns some time in January. The agency's board recently approved the decision, according to PSPCA chief executive Howard Nelson.

"The animal abusers are already armed," Nelson said in an interview with the Pocono Record. Two Stroudsburg-based humane officers will be the first to carry guns, according to Nelson.

Humane officers will receive training before being armed. Nelson stressed that the guns are to be used only for self-protection, never to euthanize an animal.

In his August resignation from the PSPCA board, longtime member Richard Elliott predicted the move to arms. Calling it a "quiet move" to have PSPCA humane officers carry concealed firearms, Elliott wrote: "It is true that such arming is permitted by law, conditioned upon proof of completion of legislatively prescribed training. However, I strongly feel that accomplishment of such arming is a recipe for tragedy and potential serious liability, at the very least. If our agents feel concern for their safety when out in the field, there are ample nonlethal means to allay such worries. A noninclusive list ranges from expandable batons ("bite sticks"), to a variety of chemical sprays to the use of taser technology."


While the gun policy is a done deal, proposed legislation that would give humane officers immunity from litigation is not. It will have to be revisited in the 2009 session of the state senate.

House Bill 2547 would grant humane police officers civil immunity when investigating animal cruelty cases. The bill was introduced in May by state Rep. John Siptroth, D-189. It says that a humane society police officer performing an investigation or enforcement will be immune from any civil action for damages brought by or on behalf of any person involved in the investigation. The bill would treat humane officers as if they are public employees.

"This would allow officers to go on private property without fear of civil litigation. They would be able to break down doors if needed. It will stimulate more activity by humane officers," Siptroth said.

The legislation to give humane officers limited civil immunity did not make the cut in the 2008 session.

Siptroth says he intends to reintroduce it in 2009. He believes it will easily pass when legislators consider it.

For animal owners worried that the law gives human officers carte blanche, Siptroth says, "If they are treating their animals properly they have nothing to fear."

[normanvin]

For animal owners worried that the law gives human officers carte blanche, Siptroth says, "If they are treating their animals properly they have nothing to fear."

Who decides what properly is?

[Robert Kayland]

Can you sic your dog on overzealous SPCA stormtroopers?


/they're only allowed to shoot people, right?

//Right?

[mjfletcher]

Can you sic your dog on overzealous SPCA stormtroopers?


/they're only allowed to shoot people, right?

//Right?

I don't know if that pups cuter than he is intimidating, or more intimidating than he is cute lol.

[Robert Kayland]

I don't know if that pups cuter than he is intimidating, or more intimidating than he is cute lol.

Yeah, funny pic... you gotta love the 'tude!

[Minor Threat]

They best not come breaking thru my doors. Ginger here is ready to throw down at the drop of a hat. You can tell she means business too - She givin the stink eye! She could take a pinky toe off before you even knew it!

[imperialism2024]

Well, I guess it's a bit of a change... instead of the government coming in to take you and shoot your dog, now they'll send people to come in to take your dog and shoot you.

[Exbiker]

Take what you read in the Pocono Record with a grain of salt. There are a bunch of people axes to grind and all may not be what is printed. I`ve met Howard Nelson on a couple of occasions. I`m not sure what`s going on but my gut says the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

The guns part is a good thing. They will have Act 235 training and some already had LEO training. Understand they deal with some true scum. Animal abusers are just a notch above child and women abusers and in many cases are both.

[Dredly]

Take what you read in the Pocono Record with a grain of salt. There are a bunch of people axes to grind and all may not be what is printed. I`ve met Howard Nelson on a couple of occasions. I`m not sure what`s going on but my gut says the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

The guns part is a good thing. They will have Act 235 training and some already had LEO training. Understand they deal with some true scum. Animal abusers are just a notch above child and women abusers and in many cases are both.

I'm confused... why would a SPCA person EVER be going to a location without a police escort? Animal abuse is a crime right? and as far as I know the SPCA isn't a gov't org so what gives them the right and power to go wherever they please and kick down doors?

What is their justification? If they get a report can they break into a house and steal animals? Is a poop covered lawn proof of animal abuse? What about leaving dogs outside?

I'll tell ya one thing... if someone kicks in my front door yelling "ANIMAL CONTROL" they won't make it out of the living room