Carmel, NY - New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that a State Senate grant he secured helped the Putnam County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) purchase a new vehicle that will strengthen its ability to enforce animal cruelty laws and respond swiftly to incidents.

Harckham, who secured a $50,000 grant for the purchase, said, “The Putnam County SPCA performs critical work enforcing animal cruelty laws and safeguarding the welfare of animals. I am proud to support its efforts with this grant for a reliable, purpose-built vehicle that will help the organization’s officers respond quickly and continue their vital mission.”

The 2023 Dodge Charger is a police model specifically designed for law enforcement use. Built with high-durability parts to withstand the constant wear and tear of patrol duty, the vehicle offers enhanced performance, safety, and longevity—all essential for the SPCA’s officers, who often operate in challenging conditions to investigate and prevent animal cruelty.

“This new vehicle will significantly improve our operational capacity,” said SPCA Chairman Ron Ross. “Our officers are on the front lines every day, responding to cruelty complaints and emergencies throughout the county. Senator Harckham’s support ensures that we can continue to carry out our mission safely and effectively, protecting both animals and the community.”

The Putnam County SPCA’s humane law enforcement division is comprised of officers trained and certified to enforce animal cruelty laws under New York State statutes. The new 2023 Dodge Charger is in service to assist in investigations, rescues, and patrols throughout Putnam County.

The Putnam County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc. is a nonprofit law enforcement and humane organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals through education, investigation, and prosecution under New York State animal cruelty laws.

The vehicle was purchased with funding from the State Aid to Municipalities (SAM) program. Since taking office in 2019, Harckham has secured $35 million in capital grants for the towns, cities, villages and non-profits in his Senate District 40 through the SAM, Local Community Assistance Program (LOCAP) and Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) programs.