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Lancaster launches email tipline for animal cruelty reports

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa.–An email tipline for reports of animal abuse in Lancaster County launched Thursday, one day after the Lancaster County SPCA executiv...

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LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa.–An email tipline for reports of animal abuse in Lancaster County launched Thursday, one day after the Lancaster County SPCA executive director agreed to no longer handle animal cruelty cases.

The email to report animal abuse is: AnimalAbuse@co.lancaster.pa.us

Lancaster County Detective Joanne Resh will monitor the tipline, vet the leads, and refer them to the respective police departments, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s office.

District Attorney Stedman also has contacted lawmakers about legislative change in animal cruelty law.

“I am making efforts to facilitate legislative action regarding animal cruelty laws in Pennsylvania and am eager to continue those discussions with lawmakers,” Stedman said. “In addition, we are in the process of developing a countywide training regimen for all officers whom will be involved in these investigations and I will be meeting with representatives from Humane Society of United States to begin this process in Lancaster County.

“I am confident that animals all over the county will be safer and more protected than ever before, prosecutions and investigations will be more professional, and the decisions to charge or not charge more consistent and fair to everyone.”

On Wednesday, Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker signed an order vacating Susan P. Martin’s appointment as a human society police officer.

The order states that Ms. Martin “knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily agreed to the revocation of her powers and authority.” Her signature is affixed to the order.

There will be no hearing on the matter on Aug. 22 or any other date.

“We are confident this would have been the end result of the scheduled hearing. The order’s effect makes that hearing moot,” District Attorney Craig Stedman said. “We look forward to the future which will involve a more professionalized and collaborative approach to animal cruelty law enforcement in Lancaster County.”