Dear Animal Advocates,

The SPCA did not threaten to sue Ms. Dawson, they did sue her. At the time and to my knowledge there still exists a suit from Ms Dawson against the SPCA for nuisance damages for barking dogs; as part of the defence the SPCA brought a defamation action against Ms. Dawson for the comments in this letter. I was the SPCA representative that was examined under oath by Ms Dawson's lawyer in November of 2003. I don't think anything has come of the action since by either party. This information is all public knowledge and Ms. Dawson would have the transcripts of my testimony if anyone is interested.

I believe what is more interesting was the letter sent by SPCA President Micheal Steven in reply that was published December 12, 2003 in the same paper. Mr. Steven stated, among other things, that "not a single penny of funds held by the Victoria branch has been spent elsewhere by the provincial Society"!

As we all know, every cent of Victoria's money has been spent by the Provincial Society, most of it elsewhere. Mr Stevens didn't know that at the time because the Board was not recieving proper financial information from its "professional" staff.

Rick Sargent
Ex-President, BC SPCA
Victoria