Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 8, 1994 TAG: 9402080167
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
\ November 1979: An audit is ordered by the SPCA board of directors following the suspension of the SPCA's executive director and kennel manager.
\ December 1979: The audit reveals $1,000 missing from accounts.
\ November 1981: Board vice president and two other board members resign in protest over the raffle of a house the SPCA had purchased and over misgivings about the way organization is being run.
\ August 1983: The raffle is called off two years later, with promises to refund money to ticket-buyers. Eight months later, board President William Davis-Deck reports "a nice profit" because ticket-buyers didn't demand refunds.
\ February 1988: SPCA's insurance company pays $1,500 to settle a lawsuit brought by a woman for the deaths of three puppies killed within minutes after she left them at the SPCA. She had changed her mind and wanted to reclaim them.
\ February 1989: Davis-Deck commits suicide days after admitting he embezzled money from the organization's shelter fund.
\ December 1993: A faction of the SPCA membership, dissatisfied with board leadership, fails in a board takeover attempt. The faction says it wants the organization to take a more public stance on animal welfare issues, such as the Boar Walla Hunting Lodge near Covington. Members - including board members - who oppose the group's efforts clash strongly and loudly during the election meeting with those backing the attempt.
\ January 1994: The faction submits a 60-signature petition calling for a new board election to remove any question about the legitimacy of the December election.
\ February 1994: The board unanimously votes to reject the petition. The board also issues a statement condemning Boar Walla.
by CNB