"I suspect that future seizures of similar species will force us to consider euthanasia as a more serious option" BC SPCA

Posted By: AAS
Date: Thursday, 18 March 2004, at 8:09 p.m.

In Response To: SPCA seized Primates headed to Texas sanctuary (AAS)

THE WATCHDOG

"BC SPCA kept using the "E" word...if they confiscate any monkeys in the future,
we'll have to keep an eye on them"

Posted By: AAS
Date: Thursday, 18 March 2004, at 8:26 p.m.

In Response To: "I suspect that future seizures of similar species will force us to consider euthanasia as a more serious option" BC SPCA (AAS)

Email to Dr Shirley McGreal, founder of International Primate Protection League http://www.satyamag.com/nov04/mcgreal.html from Linda Barklay, founder of Mindy's Memory Primate Sanctuary in  Oklahoma http://www.mindysmem.org/

Hi Shirley,

Remember this --

"First known cruelty seizure of primates in Canada. BC SPCA Seizes 103
Animals Including 15 Primates in Cruelty Investigation"
[http://www.spca.bc.ca/primates/press-release.htm]?

"The monkeys were confiscated in November 2002. The SPCA contacted me a
couple of months later inquiring about possible sanctuary placement in the
U.S. ...Throughout the entire ordeal, the people at the BC SPCA have been running
hot/cold. When Linda or I needed information from them... it was like pulling teeth
to get a return email or phone call from them. However, when they needed something
from us for their paperwork, they'd contact us at the last minute [in a "need this yesterday!" manner]  and allude to "euthanizing" the monkeys if we didn't jump through hoops to get the info to them ASAP.
I told Linda that it was like emotional blackmail!

Though the BC-SPCA Director told Linda and I during a conference call that
they had received "very generous donations" as a result of the 'Primate Rescue Fund'
they launched after the confiscation, they were reticent to provide any funding to
Mindy's Memory for enclosures to be built [due to the pairings, the monkeys are in two
groups which means building two enclosures,
etc.] When Linda explained that she couldn't foot the bill without their
help, they offered $5,000.00... a total which they expected would provide
for any transportation costs, two enclosures and lifetime care of the
monkeys... Of course, that was only a fraction of what is needed -- the
transport costs alone will be half that amount...

Linda and I began seeking funding to make up the difference since the
BC SPCA kept using the "E" word, but had very little luck. With relocation
of the monkeys eminent, Linda had no choice but to tell BC-SPCA that she
couldn't swing it without more funding from them.

The response to her request is...the BC SPCA is agreeing to $10,000 but
get this: "In light of the difficulties we have faced with these primates, I
suspect that future seizures of similar species will force us to consider
euthanasia as a more serious option." Errrrrr! This is tantamount to
saying: "Hey, we'd give away monkeys but we need to keep any monies we raise
from their plight... Your greed will likely cost others their life in the
future."

These particular monkeys will have a good home when they get to Mindy's
Memory, but I'll be happy to have this rescue over for other reasons...
Namely, so that I don't have to deal with the BC SPCA anymore.

Based on (that) message and from what we've experienced throughout our
dealings with them, if they confiscate any monkeys in the future, we'll have
to keep a close eye on them. I'd imagine that they would keep the monkeys
around for a couple of months to fundraise from them and then they'll kill
them.

Just venting,
Linda Barklay

SPCA seized Primates headed to Texas sanctuary

Posted By: AAS
Date: Thursday, 18 March 2004, at 8:01 p.m.

Vancouver Sun

Thursday, March 18, 2004
SURREY - Three barbary macaques seized by the B.C. SPCA from an exotic animal farm in Kaslo 14 months ago are leaving Friday for a U.S. primate sanctuary.

Joining them will be a fourth macaque born at the SPCA's Surrey shelter after it was discovered that one of the two females seized was pregnant.

The macaques, which are native to northwest Africa, will be heading to the Wild Animal Orphanage in San Antonio, Tex., where they will be placed in a quarter-acre enclosure.

Since their seizure, they have been living out of public view in a purpose-built pen at the Surrey SPCA.

The macaques, along with 99 other primates, exotic birds, miniature horses, chinchillas, lamas, pot-bellied pigs and other animals, were seized from a farm belonging to Blaine Bennett and Judy Kurenka in November 2002.

Bennett and Kurenka have since been charged with 13 counts of cruelty to animals.

BC SPCA Director admitted the SPCA were aware of Bennett and Kurenka for years

Posted By: Carol Sonnex
Date: Thursday, 18 March 2004, at 9:11 p.m.

In Response To: SPCA seized Primates headed to Texas sanctuary (AAS)

The Kaslo Primates were mentioned in the summer of 2001 by First Vice President and Regional Director (Kootenays), Mary Lou Troman at the Community Consultation in Victoria. She said then that something had to be done about them.

Not only that, but Bennett and Kurenka were complained about to the SPCA for years by many local people.

These primates were finally seized more than a year later in November of 2002.

Carol Sonnex
Victoria

Crying poor - an old tried-and-true SPCA trick

Posted By: AAS
Date: Friday, 19 March 2004, at 8:21 a.m.

In Response To: SPCA seized Primates headed to Texas sanctuary (AAS)

On a TV newscast last night, Hugh Coghill, manager of the Surrey SPCA at the time of the impoundment of the primates seized from Kaslo, said that the SPCA has spent $100,000 on "care" for the primates. Viewers were shown a converted garage in Surrey with the macaques in a wire enclosure.

But Coghill told a different story to the director of Mindy's Memory Sanctuary in Oklahoma when the SPCA was considering sending the macaques to the sanctuary, and he objected to ponying up some money to help the sanctuary cope with life-time care. He also hinted that if it was going to be so much trouble to seize primates that the SPCA may just euthanize them next time.

Coghill told the director that the SPCA "had received "very generous donations" as a result of the 'Primate Rescue Fund' " it launched after the seizure.

So, where did the money, that donators believed was for the seized primates, go?

Mr. Daniell reveals much about his character by the company he keeps

Posted By: Jennifer Dickson <eight-dogs-later@shaw.ca>
Date: Friday, 19 March 2004, at 12:25 a.m.

In Response To: And Hugh Coghill's reward? (AAS)