Deplorable and horrific are words used by those who took part in the raid at the Wyoming County SPCA in Attica.
Armed with search warrants Wednesday, State Police and the Erie County SPCA began conducting the raid.
State Police Major Christopher Cummings says they responded to complaints of overcrowding and abuse at the facility.
"The search warrants confirmed that hundreds of cats were being kept in the facility and the facility had inadequate conditions for these cats. 250 cats had been examined and six cats, due to health reasons, had to be euthanized," said Major Cummings.
Erie County SPCA spokeswoman Gina Browning said conditions inside the Wyoming County facility were difficult
"I hate using that word deplorable because it is so commonly used, but we needed to suit up to go in. The smell was horrific. The conditions were horrific. There were animals everywhere," said Browning. "There were some animals in cages, many animals free roaming, animals living in cabinets, cupboards, some animals living in the wall. It was horrific."
The Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office participated in a news conference with State Police and the Erie County SPCA Thursday morning at the State Police headquarters in Batavia.
An investigation is also underway into the possible misappropriation of grants funded to the Wyoming County SPCA. No charges have been field, but the investigation will continue.
State Senator Patrick Gallivan's 59th District coves part of Wyoming County. Gallivan issued the following statement on the Wyoming County SPCA raid.
"As details continue to become known about today’s (Wednesday’s) investigation into the Wyoming County SPCA in Attica and Wyoming SPCA Adoption Center in Clarence, I hope a pattern of mistreatment is not emerging among the SPCA centers of Western New York.
"When considering the recent problems that have arisen at area SPCA’s, one thing is clear, New York State needs a comprehensive review of its animal shelter and adoption policies, beginning with the enactment of a new rescue access law to ensure as many animals as possible are saved and eventually placed in permanent homes. As more information becomes available, I will be addressing this matter with my fellow members of the Senate Agriculture Committee and amongst the entire Senate."