From the Coast Reporter, July 26/03:
Eileen Drever, the SPCA senior animal protection officer who seized the dogs, said they have no choice but to return the animals. In the meantime, however, since the woman has paid the fee for costs associated with the seizure and has met conditions to ensure the dogs’ welfare, the chihuahuas must go back, as laid out in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

AAS got a legal opinion from Alexander, Holburn, Beaudin & Lang that says the opposite. It says that the PCA Act does not require that the SPCA return seized animals - even if the owner pays the SPCA's "seizure costs". Nor does the Act stipulate that if the owner makes improvements that the SPCA must return the animals.