Rally planned Sunday outside Lancaster SPCA, protesters want shelter's director removed

Libre, an ailing puppy rescued on the Fourth of July from a southern Lancaster County farm, has become a rallying point for local animal lovers who want to depose the executive director of the Lancaster County SPCA.

A protest is scheduled at noon Sunday outside the shelter at 848 S. Prince St.

The puppy, now recovering at Dillsburg Veterinary Center, is the catalyst, not the cause for the protest, according to organizer Jessica Blouch.

"There is a lot more to it than that," Blouch, a rescuer with Elizabethtown-based Pitties.Love.Peace, said Thursday.

Ultimately, Blouch said, protesters hope to see SPCA director Susan Martin step down from the post.

"Even though Libre is going to be OK, there are other dogs who aren't so lucky," Blouch said.

"Of course we want justice for Libre, but there are a lot of people who have been unhappy with Sue Martin for a long time, myself included. We just really need someone in there who is an advocate for the dogs."

Martin, informed of the protest Thursday, said it is "heartening to know that people care so much about animals."

She is disheartened, however, that people "who share my passion about animal welfare, disagree with LCSPCA's decision not to press charges in the case of the dog with demodectic mange."

Martin said she can "only press charges in cases where the evidence supports those charges."

Blouch said she expects hundreds of sign-carrying people at the rally.

"I'm amazed at the response," she said. "I know a woman who's coming from Montana. She's already booked her plane ticket. ... It restores your faith in humanity when you see how many people really do care."

Members of the local animal rescue community, Blouch said, have wanted Martin's removal since the SPCA's inception in 2013.

Stories are circulating, Blouch said, about similar incidents where animals in need of attention were ignored.

"We don't know how many have suffered and quietly died because the person who is supposed to be their advocate turned a blind eye," she said.

She also questioned the SPCA's tradition of importing dogs from out-of-state shelters when so many local dogs need homes.

"We need change," Blouch said. "This story has grabbed attention, and people are listening."

Since Libre's story was first published earlier this month, various Facebook forums have been flooded with thousands of messages calling for Martin's removal.

"Sue Martin is the SPCA," Blouch said. "I don't think the SPCA should be gone. But Sue Martin should not be running it."