By Penny Lett
At 9 a.m., May 13, Chilliwack veterinarian, Dr. Mark Steinebach, received the call to attend a cruelty complaint. At noon, senior animal protection officer, Eileen Drever, had the search warrant.
By 6:30 p.m., 10 dogs had been seized from a farm on Keith Wilson Road. The name of the owner cannot be released until formal charges are laid under the B.C. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
“These dogs had reached a degree of distress that needed to be relieved right away,” says Dr. Steinebach.
Three of the animals, two female basenjis and a male Chihuahua, were in such poor shape, they were not released from hospital until May 16.
“One of the basenjis and the Chihuahua had such badly-infected and abscessed teeth and gums, that after the teeth were removed, you could see through to the sinuses,” says Dr. Steinebach. “Also, the Chihuahua’s jaw had fractured from the infection.”
The basenjis each took two hours and the Chihuahua three, for the dental work to be completed. Depending upon the breed, most dogs have 40 teeth. Fifteen had to be removed from the Chihuahua, the rest had already fallen out. He has four left.
“Five dogs were tested and found to have hookworms, tapeworms, fleas, dermatitis, and diarrhea,” says Dr. Steinebach. “It’s safe to say, as they were all in close contact with one another, all are infected and being treated.”
Of the 10 animals taken, two (a Maltese-cross and a miniature pincher) were found in the home. The others were found in a small, dark, barn and included six Chihuahuas and two basenjis. They were confined to Vari kennels, chicken cages with wire floors, and a partially-folded exercise pen. It was a hot day, and they had no water.
“Every dog we released, went straight for water,” says Dr. Steinebach. “One seven-pound Chihuahua drank two bowls full ... and the scene was repeated with each one.”
They all he says, fit the definition of distress with regard to housing, disease, pain, and water.
The farm also had four husky-cross dogs and two rough collies. These were not seized as the owner, who had not been home when the warrant was executed, returned and gave them clean water. Though the collies needed grooming they and the huskies were in fairly-good condition.
Ms. Drever says all the seized dogs are now recuperating and being cared for in an SPCA facility. The warrant was issued after a complaint came in from the public on May 9, and charges are being considered under the B.C. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The B.C. SPCA has six months in which to lay charges.
“This is what the B.C. SPCA Cruelty Investigation Department is all about,” says Ms. Drever. “And we’re grateful to the public for caring about animals they know or suspect are in distress. It’s public cooperation and public donations that make these investigations possible.”