WESTCOAST NEWS; Vancouver Sun
Animals seized from Interior dog breeder
29 English mastiffs, five cats and a pug taken by protection officers
Canadian Press
Thursday, July 29, 2004
KAMLOOPS - The SPCA seized 35 animals Tuesday from an award-winning dog breeder who once took his mastiffs to hospitals to provide therapy for patients.
The seizure of 29 English mastiffs, five cats and one pug was done under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by SPCA animal protection officers from Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George.
SPCA special constable Kent Kokoska gave no specifics other than to say the animals taken were in "hazardous and extremely filthy conditions."
The dogs, which can weigh up to 90 kilograms, were kept Wednesday at a temporary facility that SPCA officials said had to be kept secret.
Officials would not name the breeder, but Bill Pieper, owner of Wynmast Estate Mastiffs, confirmed SPCA animal protection officers raided his rural acreage outside Barriere, 55 kilometres north of Kamloops.
Pieper's mastiffs have won numerous shows and he was named the Pedigree Awards breeder of the year for mastiffs in 1997, 1998 and 1999, according to the Canadian Kennel Club.
The awards, which no longer exist, recognized breeders who produced the most championship-winning dogs in a year.
Pieper said SPCA staff took 29 dogs and left 20.
"They only took the young ones and good ones," Pieper said.
He said officials didn't give him adequate time to fix some minor shelter issues and medical problems in some of his dogs.
Wayne Barron, president of the B.C. and Interior Dog Breeders Association, visited Pieper's home Wednesday to view the kennels and interview him.
"I think the SPCA has neglected to follow the process, jumped the gun and didn't give Bill time to do the changes," Barron said.
Pieper said his problems started last summer when forest fires razed much of Barriere.
The dogs became stressed by the fires, he said.
"They ate holes in the kennels. I planned to replace them in September but the money wasn't there."
The fires also interrupted the dogs' breeding cycle, which meant he had no litters to produce income.
If the dogs are not returned, the SPCA will put them up for adoption.
© The Vancouver Sun 2004
Kamloops Daily News July 29/04 Dogs Seized From Breeder
by Cam Fortems
The SPCA seized 35 animals Tuesday from an award-winning Barriere dog breeder who once brought his mastiffs to Royal Inland Hospital to provide therapy for patients.
A search warrant and seizure of 29 English mastiffs, five cats and one pug dog was done under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by SPCA animal protection officers from Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George.
Kent Kokoska, special constable for the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, would provide few details Wednesday of the seizure, other than to say the animals taken were in “hazardous and extremely filthy conditions.”
No specifics were given.
The dogs, which can weigh up to 90 kilograms, were kept Wednesday at a temporary facility that SPCA officials said had to be kept secret. The dogs are expected to be transferred to another, undisclosed, city today.
Officials would not name the breeder, but Bill Pieper, owner of Wynmast Estate Mastiffs, confirmed SPCA animal protection officers raided his rural acreage outside Barriere.
Pieper’s mastiffs have won numerous shows and he was named the Pedigree Awards breeder of the year for mastiffs in 1997, 1998 and 1999, based on information provided by the Canadian Kennel Club. The awards, which no longer exist, recognized breeders who produced the most championship-winning dogs in a year.
Pieper also introduced a program at RIH to bring his dogs to visit patients to provide a psychological boost.
In a telephone interview, Pieper said SPCA staff took 29 dogs and left another 20 behind.
“I’ve got 20 dogs here,” said Pieper. “They only took the young ones and good ones.”
Pieper said officials didn’t give him adequate time to fix some minor shelter issues and medical problems in some of his dogs.
Wayne Barron, president of the B.C. and Interior Dog Breeders Association, visited Pieper’s home Wednesday to view the kennels and interview the Barriere breeder.
“I think the SPCA has neglected to follow the process, jumped the gun and didn’t give Bill time to do the changes,” Barron said.
Barron agreed conditions on the acreage “need to be updated and improved” but said the dogs were not in distress and were being adequately fed. The association represents breeders in B.C.
The 29 dogs seized were being cared for by SPCA staff Wednesday. As visitors walked past, massive heads appeared above the gates as the friendly dogs sought attention.
One dog was being treated for a large, open wound on his rear foot. SPCA staff member Deb Murray treated the wound as another staffer hugged the gentle giant.
Some dogs appeared to be underweight and a few had a condition called cherry eye, a treatable medical problem irritating to dogs.
Pieper said his problems started last year after the Barriere fires struck. The dogs became stressed by the fires.
“They ate holes in the kennels. I planned to replace them in September but the money wasn’t there.”
The fires also interrupted the dogs’ breeding cycle, which meant he had no litters to produce income.
He estimated the 50 dogs chew their way through $1,600 in food each month.
Kokoska would not provide specifics. But under the act, he said animal welfare personnel must warn owners and detail ways to correct the problems. If that is not done, constables are able to seize animals.
Pieper said he was having problems arranging veterinary care, but a vet was scheduled to come to the property Friday to treat some minor medical issues.
The dog with the open wound on his leg, Leo, occasionally would bite himself because of a hip condition, Pieper said.
“He probably could have been put down and most breeders would have because he’s a pain. But his tail goes (wags) all the time so why would you put him down?”
Kokoska said a Crown prosecutor will determine whether there is enough evidence to charge Pieper under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The breeder could have his animals returned if he follows a number of actions, which the SPCA would not detail, within 14 days.
If the dogs are not returned, the SPCA will adopt them into homes.