Monitor-Your Neighbourhood Watch
A CALL FOR HELP
THE ISSUE
I know of a dog that is constantly chained to a post on a slab of concrete in a back yard. I have never seen anyone give him attention and neither had any of the neighbours with whom I spoke. I talked with Judy at the Animal Advocates Society of Vancouver but she said that nothing could be done at present. Apparently such animal abuse, although illegal in may other local municipalities, is perfectly legal in Vancouver. It is windy and snowing as I write this and that poor dog is put there by himself.
David (Duggan) Martin, Vancouver

WHERE IT'S AT
The SPCA has jurisdiction under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to deal with issues of animal cruelty and neglect. This organization has established standards of animal care known as the 5 freedoms (see them on the SPCA website www.spca.bc.ca.) The situation as described by your reader is totally unacceptable- in Vancouver, or anywhere. I encourage anyone witnessing such abuse or neglect of an animal to report it to their local SPCA. In Vancouver call 604-879-7721. I hope your reader will call the SPCA. Or if he/she would rather, I invite him/her to call the City of Vancouver animal control at 604-251-1325. We will take the details and will then refer it on to the SPCA for follow-up. Thanks to your reader for looking out for those innocents who cannot speak for themselves.
Nancy Clay, City of Vancouver, animal control services