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WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- The now former executive director of the Jefferson County SPCA has filed a lawsuit against the organization's board of directors saying she was wrongfully terminated, libeled and slandered.

Peggy Hinz filed the suit last week in Ontario County. She's also suing the board on the agency's behalf.

After she was fired last month, the SPCA board issued a release saying that her job performance for far below standards for the first six months. But in her suit, Hinz says the board never conducted a review and she not only met expectations, but exceeded them. Her attorney says she was fired for speaking out against the board for what she believed was the board not having the SPCA's best interests in mind.

"Mrs. Hinz is primarily interested in making sure the Jefferson County SPCA meets the needs of the community. She believes the board has not been acting in the best interest of the community and the animals and their care. That's what this lawsuit is about," said Hinz’s attorney, Earl Hall.

The SPCA is hosting a board meeting Tuesday night where it's expected to privately discuss the lawsuit.