After complaints, Pa. officials inspecting Chesco SPCA

Prompted by allegations that animals weren't receiving proper care, state Dog Law officials conducted an unannounced inspection Wednesday at the Chester County SPCA.

Mike Pechart, director of dog law enforcement, said a state veterinarian, two dog wardens, and a kennel compliance officer inspected the facility to investigate the complaints. Officials did not disclose their findings.

The facility, on Phoenixville Pike in West Goshen Township, takes in about 5,000 strays annually from all of Chester County and, under a $30,000-a-month contract, most towns in Delaware County.

Recently, former volunteers and staff members have said they were concerned with the increase of euthanasia there, and said the facility had become a "killing factory."

They attributed the increases to ineffective board leadership, unfilled senior management positions, and a clash of ideologies.

Shelter officials have not disputed that euthanasia numbers are rising, but said they are confronted with tremendous numbers of unwanted dogs and cats, many of which are not adoptable.

State Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D., Chester) said Tuesday he would look into the activities at the shelter and whether the contract with Delaware County, which involves 46 municipalities, has taxed its resources.

Delaware County Councilman Mario Civera said he, too, was concerned about the recent developments at the shelter.

During a May 17 state kennel inspection, the shelter received unsatisfactory grades for housekeeping, maintenance, and record-keeping.