Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — The Niagara County SPCA was expected to pick up over 60 small dogs of various breeds at 8:30 this morning from 6603 Royal Parkway South in the Town of Lockport, according to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.

The SPCA is working in cooperation with the Town of Lockport Dog Warden Barry Kobrin, the Niagara County Sheriffs Department and the New York State Police in conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the possession of these animals, who were found Saturday while a Niagara County Sheriffs deputy and New York state trooper investigating a juvenile report.

Police state that there were 35 animals in small pens and carriers inside of a “nursery” in a bedroom and another 25 dogs were found in two downstairs rooms, contained in small pens.

Kobrin said that he had been trying to contact the homeowner, Ellouise Magrum for the past month. Magrum, 50, was charged with two zoning ordinances, unlicensed dogs, excessive noise and harboring illegal dogs. She was arraigned before Town Justice Raymond E. Schilling, who released her until Tuesday for a return court date.

The Niagara County SPCA began preparations on Saturday as soon as it was found that there was a need to house the 60-plus dogs, lining up additional medical staff and volunteers ready to assist for both their pick up and arrival at the shelter. 

The SPCA is hoping for an immediate transfer of ownership from the current owner and are hopeful that the dogs will be made available for adoption very soon, the Sheriff’s Office press release stated, adding that once the animals are removed from the home and taken into the custody of the Niagara County SPCA, they will receive physical examinations to determine their health status. 

To help defray the costs of caring for such a large number of animals, the SPCA is asking the public for donations of puppy chow, puppy pads and monetary donations, which may be made on their website at niagaraspca.org or may be mailed to PO box 686 N. Tonawanda. 

 Food and other supplies may be also dropped off at the shelter located at 2100 Lockport Road in Niagara Falls. Anyone interested in adopting one of these animals should call the shelter at 731-4368 and ask to be placed on our waiting list.