T he
Kelowna Daily Courier, Thursday, August 29, 2002
Euthanasia best option, says SPCA
Some of the dogs taken from a Beaverdell breeder will be put
down
by Don Plant
Several dogs seized from a Beaverdell breeder last month
will be euthanized by the SPCA.
Some of the 53 malamute-shepherd crosses now staying at
the Casorso Road shelter are so traumatized they may never adapt to the human world, said
assistant manager Kathy Woodward.
"We want to do what's best for these animals.
Unfortunately for some of them, what's best is euthanasia, "she said.
They're terrified of their own bark. Any sound and
they hit the ground. A siren goes by and we have 40 cowering dogs. A
thunderstorm is an absolute nightmare."
Crown prosecutors have laid three charges against Gaston
Lapointe, who leashed the dogs to ropes tied between trees on his five-acre property near
Beaverdell. The charges allege the dogs endured distress and suffering in his
care.
Lapointe, 58, argues it's the SPCA that caused his dogs
distress. He says the dogs were healthy and well-fed before the July 3 seizure, the
largest animal-cruelty seizure in Kelowna. Several owners who bought puppies
from him over the years can attest to their good health, he said. "This is paradise for my dogs," he said from Beaverdell.
"They had, 5000 trees and 60 feet to run. Where did they take them? To a
little six-by-six cage with a cement floor."
Shelter staff claim the animals had inadequate food, water and shelter and showed signs of
neglect and giardia due to contaminated water. They've kept the dogs away from the
public, vaccinated the animals twice and treated them for giardia whether they had it or
not. (AAS: See AAS web page at: PHOTOS OF
BEAVERDELL DOGS)
Lapointe says he's too broke to pay his lawyer, so
he'll advertise a song he released about the seizure and divert proceeds to his
defence fund. Lawyer Bill Clarke said he'll reduce his fee because he
believes the Kelowna SPCA which prosecutes as many cases of animal abuse as the rest of
BC's SPCA branches combined, has acted "heavy handedly." "It
appears that they're trying to determine the jurisdiction they have over the removal of
animals and the powers they're able to enforce," he said.
The Beaverdell pack has grown to 64 dogs after 13 puppies
were born at the shelter and two died. Now that criminal charges are laid, the dogs
are in limbo. Staff may be forbidden to adopt them out unless Lapointe is
convicted. Clark is now preparing a petition to have the animals returned to
Lapointe. The shelter has racked up over $20,000 in
expenses looking after the dogs and expects Lapointe to pay the bill if
he's allowed them back. Lapointe says he
can't afford it.
To make room for the Beaverdell pack, all dogs staying at
the shelter were moved out to foster homes in Kelowna. Regional district dog control
has been caring for strays and surrendered dogs since the seizure. Lapointe faces a
fine, imprisonment or an order barring him from owning animals for life if
convicted. His first court appearance is set for Sept 9/02.
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