Embattled Lancaster County SPCA director resigns, citing 'emotional challenge'

The executive director of the Lancaster County SPCA is stepping down, effective Nov. 4.

Susan Martin, who opened the animal shelter in Lancaster in February 2013, announced her resignation Monday.

SPCA spokeswoman Jennifer Ericson said in a statement Monday afternoon that Martin "could no longer endure the emotional challenge of seeing abused animals come through the doors without having the actual or persuasive authority to find justice for them."

Martin is resigning as executive director of the shelter and as president of the shelter's board of directors.

Ericson said Martin's announcement "did come as a surprise."

However, she said, the SPCA "is grateful for Martin's dedicated service to the county and its homeless animals." She noted that Martin has helped more than 20,000 animals during her tenure at the shelter.

The board is in the process of electing a new board president, Ericson said, and finalizing plans for hiring an interim executive director to oversee operations at the shelter until a permanent replacement is hired.

At odds with the district attorney

When Martin opened the SPCA in 2013, she was widely hailed for stepping up to take the place of the Humane League of Lancaster County, which that year stopped accepting stray animals as it became a no-kill shelter.

Martin quickly earned a license as a humane society police officer for the county, and she was working to earn additional certification for wildlife rehabilitation.

She was involved in numerous high-profile cruelty cases in the area, but her reputation took a hit this past July when she announced she was not filing charges in the case of Libre, a dying puppy rescued from a Quarryville farm.

Martin and the Lancaster County district attorney's office were at odds over the case, with each blaming the other for deciding not to press charges against Libre's owner.

In July, when asked about widespread calls for her resignation, Martin told a reporter that she would "be here tomorrow and I'll be here next year."

The SPCA and district attorney's office were again at odds in October over the case of Hennessey, a 14-week-old pit bull that Martin said was beaten. She publicly criticized the district attorney for failing to file charges in the case, while the district attorney's office issued statements criticizing Martin for interfering in their investigation.

Brett Hambright, spokesman for the district attorney, said Monday he has no comment on Martin's resignation.