Report: Over 72 Animals Euthanized at Dutchess SPCA

Former employees and more are claiming officials at the Dutchess County SPCA wrongfully put over 72 animals to sleep over the past 10 months.

Dutchess County Animals Deserve Better sent a letter to the DCSPCA board, volunteers, donors and the press claiming at least 27 dogs and 45 cats were euthanized since Donna Angiolillo assumed the role of executive director of the DCSPCA.

Even more animals may have been euthanized, but their numbers are not known because they weren't entered into an animal tracking database used by shelters, Dutchess County Animals Deserve Better said.

“[T]here are animals that were not entered into the Shelter Buddy database before they were euthanized. ” the letter states.

The letter claims that Logan, a DCSPCA dog, was taken to the Animal Farm Foundation (AFF) in Amenia as an unauthorized transfer and put to sleep on the property, without an authorized signer from the DCSPCA.

Another animal, Peyton, spent most of his life at the DCSPCA. The dog was described in the letter as a staff and volunteer favorite who was smart, friendly, great with other dogs and used at events, like the Dutchess County Fair.

He was adopted in August 2016, but returned after the owner claimed he “guarded a sock and nipped at owner.”

“Peyton was euthanized to the horror of staff and volunteers," the letter claims.

The letter also alleges that eight animals died due to disease or medical negligence.

“The shelter has also experienced 3 shelter-wide cases of Parvo since January 2016 to which numerous dog’s lives were lost as well as community events cancelled,” the letter says.

Dutchess County Animals Deserve Better accused Angiolillo of firing 12 out of 40 employees, all without prior disciplinary actions or reviews. Seven full-time employees voluntarily quit due to unwarranted euthanasia, lack of proper care of animals and Angiolillo's management practices, the letter claims.

Phone calls to Donna Angiolillo were not returned at press time.