Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker on Wednesday signed an order vacating Susan P. Martin’s appointment as a human society police officer.
The order states that Ms. Martin “knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily agreed to the revocation of her powers and authority.” Her signature is affixed to the order.
There will be no hearing on the matter on Aug. 22 or any other date.
District Attorney Craig Stedman made these comments:
“We are confident this would have been the end result of the scheduled hearing. The order’s effect makes that hearing moot.
We look forward to the future which will involve a more professionalized and collaborative approach to animal cruelty law enforcement in Lancaster County.
I am also making efforts to facilitate legislative action regarding animal cruelty laws in Pennsylvania and am eager to continue those discussions with lawmakers.
In addition, we are in the process of developing a countywide training regimen for all officers whom will be involved in these investigations and I will be meeting with representatives from Humane Society of United States to begin this process in Lancaster County.
I am confident that animals all over the county will be safer and more protected than ever before, prosecutions and investigations will be more professional, and the decisions to charge or not charge more consistent and fair to everyone."
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright