Dr. Pryor, the vet who saved Libre, holding the Boston Terrier puppy who is very lucky to be alive.
Benjamin Stoltzfus, 33, pled guilty to one count of animal cruelty on August 22nd for failing to provide veterinary care for Libre, the 4-month-old Boston Terrier who was purposely left to die in a commercial kennel for a month. He was fined $904.97. Investigators say Stoltzfus no longer has any dogs.
Libre suffered from a severe case of mange, emaciation, dehydration and an infection with maggots. He has made a miraculous recovery with Dr. Pryor’s help. Dr. Pryor won the Veterinarian of the Year by the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association last month.
Libre’s case is known internationally due to social media. A firestorm erupted after Susan Martin, Lancaster County SPCA’s executive director, refused to file charges against Stoltzfus, citing that “rescuers exaggerated the animal’s condition.” She also said in a statement last month, “cannot substantiate that a puppy was abandoned, left for dead or maggot infected as previously reported in the media.” She said that is was “impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual (Stoltzfus) willingly and knowingly grossly neglected care for the animal intending to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm.”
The Lancaster County SPCA has come under scrutiny in light of this case. The Lancaster County District Attorney, Craig Stedman, asked Martin to step down as a humane police officer which she voluntarily did. He also announced there will be changes in how animal cruelty is handled in Lancaster County which comes as a relief to many in the county.
Some residents feel Martin has allowed abuse to continue at puppy mills because she has refused to do anything about it and has turned a blind eye to animal abuse in Lancaster County.
While Martin has stepped down as a humane police officer, she still is the head of the Lancaster County SPCA. With the false statements she made last month, is she the right person to head up the SPCA? Does lying constitute charges to be made against Martin?
Stoltzfus admitted he kept the puppy in the kennel to die and the puppy received no veterinary care. Martin said Libre was receiving vet care and couldn’t find evidence to show Libre was gravely ill or even grossly neglected. Why did Martin make these statements?
One only has to view the photos of Libre when he was rescued by a volunteer from the SPCA to see the severity of how ill he was and how much he was suffering. Libre couldn’t lift his head because he was so incredibly weak. Libre was barely breathing when saved.
An investigation of Martin and the Lancaster County SPCA is underway to dig deeper into other animal abuse cases. Has Martin overlooked previous cases of animal abuse and neglect?
A Rally for Libre will be held on Wednesday, September 28th on the Capitol Steps in Harrisburg. It runs from 12-1. Libre will be in attendance.
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer and animal advocate. She hosts the show, ” A Close-Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” Have a story, please email Tina at tevangelistaepp@yahoo. Like my tv page at https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues and check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com for all the tv shows you may have missed!
Fire herr owner should get jail time
I feel she should be charged with tampering with evidence. She lied about the truth of Libre when she knew he had no vet care and planned on letting him die since she refused to do a damn thing about the dying puppy. For that alone she should be charged as an accessory to animal cruelty and stripped of being able to work around animals!!
Come out for the Libre’s Law Rally. Show your support for stiffer penalties for animal abuse. Senator Alloway is sponsoring this bill.
🙂 Thanks for mentioning it, Chrissie.
Both should be charged and both should be in jail. From the abuse to lying about the abuse is just cause to bring charges against these two. Stoltzfus pays only a fine of #904….what a joke. That amount of money means nothing to puppy mill owners. Martin needs to go. I’ve heard she cover ups for other kennel owners in Lancaster County like she did this one. If she’s helping them, she’s a party to animal abuse and needs to be held accountable. I’m glad there is an investigation into the SPCA.
I can’t believe Libre is alive. What a blessing. Dr. Pryor made all the difference and is worthy of receiving that award. Good luck to Libre at his new home.
Libre is lucky to be alive. He was meant to live and now he is the impetus for a new bill to strengthen Pennsylvania’s animal abuse/neglect laws.
I feel Martin would only leave LCSPCA if physically forced to do so. She won’t go quietly. The SPCA is hers. I don’t understand how she can still be in charge when her police officer duties have been taken away. If she’s not capable of doing that, what makes her capable of handling an entire shelter. It’s confusing.
Make her go away. Thank you. 🙂
I second that! She needs to go. The investigation should reveal the truth about the lies.
Stoltzfus has no more puppies? I find that hard to believe but hoping it’s true. Wouldn’t that be great?
Time will tell if has dogs/puppies. Let’s hope he meant it when he said it. Thanks.
Are you freaking kidding me? One count of animal cruelty? Again, a joke! Absurd. Ridiculous!
Yes, she should not run anything that she makes choices for animals lives and welfare. It appears that she picks and choices what she will act upon when it comes to an animal’s life. She is in her postion and as “owner” of animal welfare league to protect every animal in need on her watch. It was an oath she took and also what she should stand for in her mission statement.
I think Martin should be charged with something for falsifying the truth. Just say that Libre wasn’t neglected was an absolute lie. She needs to be held accountable for what she has said and what she has done and if the other Humane officers contribute to these guys they should be held accountable too. if they if they haven’t been a part of this Web of Lies then they should be allowed to be Humane officers. there are many shelters out there that are not run properly and aren’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing for the animals and it’s about time that shelter and his director is held accountable for his or her actions. they are just as bad as animal abusers. they deserve to be punished just as much as someone who has committed animal abuse there should be no difference.
I think the delivery guy is a true hero. If he hadn’t taken Libre when he did, there would be no Libre. How many more Libre’s are there in mills right now???
What a sham. One count of cruelty. Ridiculous.
It appears that Susan Martin lied about her investigation from the beginning. How can the Lancaster SPCA Board of Directors allow her to remain in charge? They are also responsible for the animals at this shelter. They need to assume responsibility for the actions of Ms. Martin in the Libre case.
What has she lied about Alice Gallina? We know she wasn’t going to pursue any charges. What else is there? You’d be surprised how boards go along with directors at animal shelters/rescues. I’ve found too many to be crooked.
ONE COUNT of animal cruelty????? This puppy was going to die that night. Boy, Pennsylvania keeps getting better and better with their animal cruelty laws. Sarcasm intended!!!
Get rid of her. She’s hurting animals. She keeps getting animals from other states. There are so many animals who need help in Lancaster County. She’s not the right person for the job.