Jeannine Woodhouse, Manager
North Cariboo SPCA
4011 Lansdowne Road
Box 2388
Prince George, BC V2N 2S6

Dear Jeannine:

Re: Special Needs Great Dane

This letter is to express my disappointment regarding the fact that the SPCA did not recommend cruelty charges be laid against the owner and the shooter of the special needs Great Dane who was shot three times and left for dead. The SPCA Charter states “The BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life for the animals of the world we share. We pledge our energies to inspire and mobilize society to create a world in which all animals, who depend on humans for their well-being, experience, as a minimum, five essential freedoms: (1) freedom from hunger and thirst; (2) freedom from pain, injury, and disease; (3) freedom from distress; (4) freedom from discomfort; and (5) freedom to express behaviours that promote well-being.” Also stated on the BC SPCA website under the title “THE BC SPCA TODAY - Cruelty to Animals is a Crime. BC SPCA Special Provincial Constables, under the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, inspect facilities where animals are kept, investigate allegations of cruelty, seize animals in distress, and, if warranted, bring cases to the Crown for prosecution.”

The shooter confessed to the SPCA that he/she was asked by the dog’s owner(s) to euthanize the young dog because the family was finding it difficult to deal with his deafness and visual problems. As the manager of our local SPCA you said in the Citizen newspaper article on Tuesday, May 18th that “the shooting was not an intentional act of animal cruelty, but an attempt to put down the dog that went awry. . . ” If it would have been a person who was shot and left to die, these people would have been charged. The SPCA as an organization is obligated to protect our animals and for some reason it appears as though this has not happened. The SPCA should be recommending cruelty charges in this case.

It is my understanding that the SPCA is in our community to help the ones who cannot speak for themselves. This dog was left for dead, he can’t hear, he has visual problems, he’s badly wounded and probably frightened half to death. After reading the SPCA Charter, it is my perception that this is animal abuse – the dog’s needs were neglected. He needed medical attention, food, water, and shelter. None of these were provided until someone found this dog and rescued him. As a member of this community and a supporter of the SPCA I find this unacceptable. In my opinion, the owner and shooter committed a crime and should be held accountable. We need to show our community that we really do care about what happens to our animals!! Since this incident, three articles were written in our local newspaper and from what I have read nothing has been done to deter people from doing this again!

I have supported the SPCA for at least 20 years. I have adopted two dogs and four cats from our local shelter. I have referred my family and friends to the SPCA and many of them have adopted SPCA animals. I will not give any further support to the shelter until I feel our animals and their rights are being protected. Do not tell me about the organization’s financial woes – we are all experiencing tough times. There are many rescue groups who do this and pay for all the expenses out of their own pockets so hearing about how the SPCA is short on money just doesn’t cut it anymore.

This community needs a strong voice to let people know it is absolutely unacceptable to abuse our animals and from what I have seen the SPCA is not doing this. Prince George needs an organization that will fight for our animals’ rights. If the SPCA is truly in it to help save the animals then start doing it! Start today, start right now! So many innocent animals are waiting to be helped. Show this community that animal abuse is unacceptable!

Sincerely,

Cindy Elmquist

cc: Craig Daniell, BC SPCA General Manager of Cruelty Investigations
Marc Sayer, Deaf Dane Rescue – Springfield, Oregon – via email
Mayor Colin Kingsley - Prince George
Judith Stone, Animal Advocates Society of BC
Vancouver Humane Society
Michael O’Sullivan, Humane Society of Canada
Jim Wood, Danes in Distress – via email
David West, Western Division, The Great Dane Club of Canada – via email