Adams County humane officer resigns, citing threats

File photo of Adams County SPCA on Goldenville Road near Gettysburg (Photo: Dustin Levy, The Evening Sun)

(Gettysburg) — The Adams County humane officer has resigned, a decision that will leave animal law enforcement in the county to local and state police.

Abby Avery, who has served in the position for 10 years, will continue in her position as the shelter manager at the Adams SPCA.

Avery made the decision because of “very vicious” threats made against her, she said.

“You have to take that stuff seriously because you just don’t know with people anymore,” she said.

Avery believes the threats stemmed from social media outrage over the condition of animals at Land of Little Horses farm park in Highland Township last week.

Photos of the park’s animals, some that appeared thin or with matted fur, were shared on Facebook, stirring social media users and leading to demands for the SPCA to get involved.

The SPCA began an investigation into a complaint on April 27 and followed up with several inspections, including a visit with an animal cruelty officer with the state police bureau of criminal investigation, according to a