'Blinded puppy searches for home'
Jeremy Warren, Yukon News - August 22nd, 2008
In a glass enclosure at the front of the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter, a puppy knocks around a rubber toy.
Back and forth several times, Koa, only 12 weeks old, stops before thumping the toy. It's a brief pause,
but one other rambunctious puppies wouldn't need.
Koa is blind. But she wasn't born that way. Koa was rescued last month from a group of people behind the
Salvation Army offices who were force-feeding her alcohol.
Shelter workers believe shadows are the best Koa can see, maybe - blindness is tough to measure.
"She has serious vision problems but (the severity) is uncertain right now," said shelter treasurer Sarah
Steinberg. Otherwise, Koa, a mixed breed, is a healthy, playful dog. "She's doing well," said Steinberg.
The shelter is looking for a permanent home for Koa, a home that understands she will need a little extra
attention.
"Koa has a few special needs, but it's more about extra attention," said Steinberg. "There's bound to be
some extra care, but dogs are smart and they compensate."
Koa was brought to the humane society on July 15, when she was about six weeks old. She was rescued
from behind the Salvation Army the day before. There were signs Koa was intoxicated, and while the
cause of her blindness hasn't been confirmed, it's believed to be the booze that did it.
This is a clear case of animal abuse, said Steinberg. She isn't aware of similar instances of alcohol
poisoning in dogs. The people responsible for feeding Koa alcohol haven't been identified. It's not
confirmed if those involved have been cited with animal cruelty charges.
Animal rights supporters have long criticized the level of official animal protection in the territory. The
territory's Animal Protection Act lacks real power to prevent cruelty to animals or to deter owners from
harming their pets.
Steinberg wouldn't say how stronger legislation might have affected those who abused Koa. Changes to
the act are being drafted now and could be introduced in the legislature this fall, said a Community
Services spokesperson. In May, the territory released a 22-page document listing proposed amendments
to the act. It includes increased penalties for animal abuse and stronger powers for enforcement officers.
Fines for violating the act would increase to $10,000 from $500 and maximum jail time would rise to two
years from six months.
To adopt Koa, call the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter at 633-6019.
The Humane Society wants to remind those who witness incidents of animal abuse to immediately report
the situation to the city of Whitehorse bylaw services or the RCMP, if they're in a rural area.
[Contact jeremyw@yukon-news.com]
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