Crime & Safety

Suffolk SPCA: Duty-Bound or Out of Control? [Poll]

Controversy surrounds organization's law enforcement arm as additional allegations of misconduct surface.

A Manorville horse rescuer filed a federal lawsuit against the Suffolk SPCA Monday, alleging that the organization's law enforcement arm runs amok and should be closed, according to a report from Newsday.

Mona Kanciper, head of New York Horse Rescue, told Newsday that her reputation was ruined and her business suffered as a result of a March 2010 raid wherein the Suffolk SPCA improperly obtained search warrants, held her captive, and refused to let her call her attorney.

Kanciper was also charged with abusing dogs and later acquitted, though she was found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child for euthanizing a dog in a young girl's presence and is appealing the decision.

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Her attorney, Alan Sash of Manhattan, told Newsday that assigning peace officer powers to an advocacy group's volunteers is inappropriate and finds it troubling that the group's only oversight is from a private board of directors.

News of the lawsuit arrives on the heels of animal cruelty charges recently filed against East Northport couple Stephen and Kathleen Jackman by the Suffolk SPCA, alleging that they starved their dog, a 10-year-old Greyhound, after it was found roaming the streets during a storm in April of last year.

Find out what's happening in Northportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The couple told Patch on Monday that they have hired an attorney to defend them against what they say are bogus charges from the Suffolk SPCA, maintaining that the dog was treated as a member of the family, the agency did not properly consider evidence in their favor, and that the investigation amounts to nothing more than "a witch hunt." The Suffolk SPCA claims that the investigation leading up to the charges was "extensive," but would not provide details.

Read our , and see what the Jackmans .

Do you think the SPCA is out of control or just doing their job? Vote in our poll or tell us in the comments.


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