Dog's throat slashed during party at city shelter - Buffalo, NY

Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007

County: Erie

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Norman Filer

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

The city has suspended two employees following a bizarre incident at its animal shelter Wednesday when a worker allegedly slashed the throat of a pit bull during a holiday party.

The dog was treated for cuts on its head and throat and is doing fine, animal experts said today.

But city officials said they're shocked by what occurred, and have launched a probe. The SPCA also is investigating and has been in touch with the Erie County District Attorney's office. Animal cruelty charges might be filed, said SPCA Executive Director Barbara Carr.

Kelly McCartney, the animal shelter's longtime director, was suspended for 30 days as a result of the incident, but city officials confirmed that she did not attend the party.

McCartney told The Buffalo News she couldn't comment on a pending investigation. But she said she was distraught when she learned about the incident involving a respected animal control officer who has worked for the city for 28 years.

"I'm sick to my stomach about it," she said.

The name of the other suspended employee was not released by Mayor Byron W. Brown's administration.

Someone who attended the party at the Oak Street shelter called the SPCA the following morning to report the incident. The animal was reportedly in its cage when the employee injured it with a box cutter-like device.

"I was horrified and sad," Carr said today.

The city's acting public works commissioner said he learned about the incident Thursday from a fellow employee. Steven J. Stepniak said he was unaware of any party being held in the shelter. He said the investigation will seek to answer numerous questions, including reports that employees may have been consuming alcohol during the party.

"We still don't know exactly what happened. But we took immediate action, because this is something that's really upsetting," Stepniak said. "There's going to be no leniency here."

While city officials did not identify the man who allegedly injured the dog, they said he is a veteran animal control officer whose tenure with the city has been unblemished.

Peter K. Cutler, Brown's spokesman, said it's possible other city employees will be suspended.

"We're taking this very seriously. This is something that is of great concern to all of us," Cutler said.

Carr said she's concerned the unusual incident might unfairly taint an animal shelter that is fortunate to have many dedicated staffers and volunteers. People come to the shelter to adopt dogs and cats.

"I'm worried that animals might suffer because one person did something terrible," Carr said.

Case Updates

A former Buffalo animal control officer who stabbed a dog has acknowledged alcohol played a role in the violent attack. Norman Filer was suspended without pay in December and charged with animal cruelty. SPCA officials said Filer stabbed a pit bull in the head and neck at a holiday party held at the Buffalo Animal Shelter. Filer originally said he acted in self-defense. He admitted today that his actions were fueled by alcohol. Under a plea deal, Filer isn't allowed to work with animals and must undergo counseling and random drug and alcohol tests. He also had to make a public apology in court, and was ordered to 50 hours of community service. He now works for the Buffalo city Department of Transportation.

Source: WCAX - March 10, 2008 Update posted on Mar 10, 2008 - 5:36PM

The Buffalo animal control officer accused of stabbing a pitbull at a rowdy holiday party at the city animal shelter appeared in court on Monday. Norman Filer, 47, of Buffalo, was released on his own recognizance following his arraignment on misdemeanor cruelty to animal charges. Filer said he was defending himself from the violent animal, according to prosecutors. "We've all been bitten by dogs," said Barbara Carr, executive director of the Erie County SPCA. "Nobody that I know has ever resorted to defending themselves with a tool that could actually harm the animal." "The DA's office requested bail in the amount of $1,500," Carr said. SPCA investigators probed the Dec. 12 incident which took place during a Christmas party at the downtown animal shelter on Oak St. "This is a man who's had 28 years experience with dogs," said Carr. "He had no business getting into a kennel with any dog when he'd been drinking." Filer faces up to a year behind bars and a fine of up to $1,000 if convicted. Carr said the punishment is suitable. Filer remains suspended without pay from work. The executive director of the shelter was also suspended, but returned to work last week, Carr said. The pitbull, seized during a Buffalo drug raid late last year, remains at the shelter and is reportedly in good condition. Its wounds were superficial, Carr said.

Source: WKBW - Jan 7, 2007 Update posted on Jan 7, 2008 - 11:19PM

A longtime employee of the Buffalo Animal Shelter was charged in late December with a misdemeanor animal-cruelty count in the stabbing of a pit bull during a holiday party Dec. 12 in the Oak Street facility, Erie County District Attorney Frank J. Clark said. Norman Filer, currently suspended from his job, was served with an appearance ticket for a Jan. 7 arraignment in Buffalo City Court, according to Clark and Barbara Carr, executive director of the Erie County SPCA, which sparked the investigation. The pit bull, which had been seized in a drug raid last month, suffered "superficial" injuries and "two days after the incident was fine," Clark said. Filer, a 28-year employee of the shelter, voluntarily talked to the district attorney days ago. He said he had gone back to the pit bull's cage to quiet the barking dog when the dog became aggressive, so he pulled out his pen knife. Clark also confirmed that no criminal charges will be filed against Kelly McCartney, shelter director, who was not at the party. Clark said McCartney had "no criminal responsibility at all," that her problems are "an administrative matter" to be resolved with City Hall officials. She could not be reached to comment. A City Court judge or jury will decide if Filer is guilty of the misdemeanor offense under the state's Agriculture and Marketing Law, the district attorney said. Filer could not be reached to comment Thursday. Clark said a veterinarian who treated the pit bull "had nothing but praise" for Filer's handling of animals. The investigation started after a report to the SPCA on Dec. 13.

Source: Buffalo News - Dec 21, 2007 Update posted on Jan 3, 2008 - 12:55AM

References

• « NY State Animal Cruelty Map
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