About
Our Mission
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is a non-profit law enforcement organization, which works within the State of New York, specifically in Schenectady County, to investigate complaints of animal cruelty.
We work very closely with the various Police agencies within the county and work to educate the public regarding the State animal cruelty laws.
Who We Are
Investigators employed by the Schenectady, Schoharie and Saratoga County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Law Enforcement Division are designated New York State Peace Officers under New York State Criminal Procedure Law section 2.10 paragraph 7. Investigators carry firearms and have custodial arrest powers. When performing their duties they may issue appearance tickets for penal law, environmental conservation law, and recreation and historic preservation law violations. Investigators may also issue uniform navigation summons and simplified traffic informations(see NYS CPL 2.20).
What We Do
The responsibilities of SPCA Investigators are primarily to:
- Conduct criminal investigations
- Execute search warrants
- Make arrests for misdemeanor and felony violations of New York State’s Animal Cruelty Laws (codified as New York State Agriculture and Markets Law Article 26)
What We Do Not Do
- Investigators do not “catch dogs"
- Get involved with “dangerous dogs"
- Respond to complaints about a dog barking late at night
- Investigators do not catch wild animals or do pest control
Assistance with enforcing the NYS Environmental Conservation Law should be referred to the nearest NYS DEC Police Officer.
