SPCA, Schenectady County reach animal-control deal

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Lamendola

Schenectady County and the Schenectady County Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals have reached an agreement that ends litigation over control of animals the society seizes in investigations and raids.

The SPCA filed suit Friday in state Supreme Court against Sheriff Dominic Dagostino, citing state Agriculture and Markets Law that designates the sheriff’s department as the agency charged with taking custody of and ensuring care for an animal belonging to someone arrested by an officer of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

State Supreme Court Justice Vincent J. Reilly Jr. was scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday in the case.

The SPCA’s action was in response to its seizure of a dog and 44 cats from the Suffolk Avenue home of Michelle Regel on Wednesday. It filed suit when the sheriff’s office said it would not take charge of the animals.

Schenectady County Attorney Chris Gardner said the agreement will “usher in a new era of dog control and animal control in Schenectady County and will directly address the problem of vicious dogs in the city.” He said details will be announced by Friday.