To Eileen Drever,
Senior Animal Protection Officer,
BC SPCA

June 28, 2005

Dear Ms Drever,

I would like to know if the SPCA is allowed to go onto Reserves to investigate a reported offence under the Criminal Code or the PCA Act.

I have tried several times to report instances of abuse, including shooting dogs and receiving bounty for each "tail" brought in to the Band, neglecting dogs to the point of dogs freezing to death in subarctic temperatures because of lack of shelter, as well as starvation, kicking, hitting. I have been told by SPCA staff that the SPCA can only go onto Reserves by invitation of the Band - is this correct? I was under the impression that the Criminal Code and the PCA Act covers the whole province including Reserves, is this correct information?

Please let me know ASAP -

Thank you,
Dianne Sellin

Ms Drever's answer:

Ms. Sellin,

Thank you for your e-mail, as you are aware the SPCA enforces Provincial as well as Federal legislation. The Society has been successful in the past enforcing Federal legislation and we currently have a case before the courts using our Provincial statute. The Society as been successful prosecuting instances of animal abuse/neglect on reservations, some of which resulted in the offender being incarcerated.
As a common courtesy, if we receive a complaint on a reservation we will speak with a member of the Band Council advising we will be conducting and investigation and if necessary ask the local RCMP to attend with us.

If you feel your complaint is not being taken seriously, please advise me and I will investigate further.

Regards,
Eileen Drever.

Ms Drever does not deny that the SPCA can go on reserves to investigate reports of cruelty without permission of the band.