Vet Hired By Niagara SPCA Won't Serve After All | News

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - Just days after the embattled Niagara County SPCA announced the hiring of an independent veterinarian to supervise the care of animals at the Rainbow Animal Shelter, Dr. Grant Hobika DVM will not be performing that function after all.

Hobika was the subject of criticism from former co-workers and the owners of pets placed in his care in a front page Buffalo News article on Monday.

It is unclear whether Dr. Hobika first tendered his resignation following the publication of the article, or if the SPCA rescinded its hiring of him, which was announced last Thursday in a press release from the Board of Directors.

"I've been informed that he's vehemently denied any of these allegations," said SPCA attorney Paul Cambria.

But given the fragility of where the Niagara SPCA currently stands in its efforts to regain community confidence, Cambria confirmed he advised the board to look for someone else to supervise the agency's efforts to care for animals.  "I told them that we don't need this distraction and it would be my advice to move on," Cambria told WGRZ-TV.

The release said Hobika had been "engaged to evaluate all animals and oversee their care, as well as to assist in the development of animal handling protocols."

Hobika, who is listed through a number of websites as having a practice at the Lewiston Animal Hospital, has not worked there for "two or more years" according to the manager of the facility.

The New York State Office of Professions says it has no record of any fines or disciplinary action taken against Hobika, 56, who has been practicing for decades.

However, that does not mean there have not been any complaints filed against Hobika.

Cambria also says he has another idea in mind, now that the effort to hire Hobika has ended before he could begin work. He didn't provide much in the way of detail, other than to express confidence that it will work.

"I think this particular oversight will be beyond reproach from anyone, no matter what their agenda," Cambria said.

Select members of the Niagara County SPCA Board of Directors are due to meet with representatives of the NY State Attorney General's office on Tuesday, according to Cambria, who said, "I told them I was welcoming of their input with open arms, there's nothing to hide."