May 19,2005 BC SPCA Cruelty Officers Seize 46 Animals near Edgewood

http://www.spca.bc.ca/media/EdgewoodSeizure_May192005_Press.asp

BC SPCA Cruelty Officers Seize 46 Animals near Edgewood
May 19, 2005. For immediate release. BC SPCA animal protection officers rescued 46 animals from horrific conditions on a rural property near Edgewood yesterday. Cruelty officers seized 30 goats, nine Healer-cross dogs, six cows and one cat in various states of distress. "All of the animals were emaciated and had serious untreated injuries," says Special Provincial Constable Kathy Woodward. "But even more distressing is that all of the animals, except for four of the cows, were tethered by heavy logging chains, rope or binder twine in lengths ranging from only 10 inches to three feet." One dog, weighing only 45 pounds, was tethered with a 20-pound logging chain that was attached to a wall. "It was just horrible," says Woodward. "The whole property was strewn with garbage and debris and the animals were tied to poles, trees, old appliances and tires. They didn't have access to food or water, and the chains and ropes had cut into their necks so badly in some cases that infection had already set in."

Woodward adds that the goats had serious problems due to lack of proper care and husbandry. "They all had badly overgrown hooves, which caused them pain and distress, but one goat in particular had hooves that had grown to over 14 inches."

One of the cows on the property was in critical distress and had to be humanely euthanized immediately. All of the other animals are in the custody of the SPCA at shelters or foster homes in the area and are receiving on-going veterinary care and attention.

The SPCA cruelty investigation continues and charges are pending in the case.

Further information:
Special Provincial Constable Brad Kuich, 250-470-2144, or Kathy Woodward, 250-258-2511;
Lorie Chortyk, Community Relations Manager, BC SPCA:
(604) 647-1316, 1-800-665-1868, or 830-7179 (cell);