Fuzzy show of support
Two residents vouch for accused animal control officer
Winnie the Pooh and Tigger made an appearance outside Lackawanna City Hall on Tuesday in support of the city’s animal control officer, Frederick
S. Grasso, who is charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
While many Lackawanna residents and others have been critical of the city for allowing Grasso to remain on the job after an SPCA investigation determined he killed three cats, Kenneth Bauer and Dick Pacyon dressed up to show their support of the city’s part-time dog warden/animal security officer.
“He’s a gentle man, kind; he’s taken care of the neighborhood,” said Bauer, who was dressed in a Winnie the Pooh costume and held a “Pooh loves Fred” sign.
Dick Pacyon, dressed as Tigger and holding a “Fred loves Tigger” sign, said he doesn’t know if Grasso shot the cats but he believes any action he took was justified.
“I just know they were rabid,” he said of the cats.
Both men denied knowing Grasso personally but said their impression of him has been formed from what they’ve learned from neighbors.
While the two men stood outside Lackawanna City Court on the day Grasso was set to be arraigned, Judge Frederick J. Marrano granted an adjournment after the prosecution asked for more time to review the evidence.
City Attorney Arc J. Petricca told reporters while leaving the courtroom that his client is innocent, though he would not comment on whether Grasso shot the cats.
“I have no idea about the facts of the case,” he said. “You’ll have to get those in the courtroom.”
Unlike Pooh and Tigger, most community members who have spoken out about Grasso feel he should at least have been suspended until the case is resolved.
“We believe Fred Grasso shot and killed three cats,” said Barbara Carr, executive director of the Erie County SPCA.
An SPCA investigation determined that Grasso shot a mother cat and her two kittens while responding to a call about the strays living in the basement of an Eagan Drive apartment complex in Lackawanna.
“I certainly would like to see a guilty verdict,” she said.
Lackawanna Mayor Norman Polanski Jr. has called the investigation a “publicity stunt” for the SPCA and says he does not believe Grasso has done anything wrong.
Grasso’s new arraignment date is set for 11 a. m. on July 8. He faces a maximum sentence of two years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
