SPCA slammed for ignoring calls about pit bulls

David Carrigg, The Province
Published: Tuesday, January 17, 2006

The B.C. SPCA was mauled last night with North Vancouver residents claiming the organization ignored several calls for help to deal with a roaming pack of pit bulls.

Those dogs later tore apart a family cat on Christmas Eve in front of several residents. "Why was there little or no response to various calls to the SPCA?" said David Hughes, addressing North Van city council.

Hughes listed several incidents where the SPCA was called by fearful residents.

Hughes, whose cat was killed by the dogs, said that following publicity surrounding the killing several neighbours came forward.

"Neighbours, the principal of Larson Elementary, the local postal carrier had all placed many complaints to the SPCA regarding these dogs," he said.

"The last complaint to the SPCA [before his cat's death] was made on Dec. 22," Hughes said.

"There was no response when it was complained the dogs were roaming in the lanes."

On Dec. 15, another complaint was made when the dogs were outside Larson elementary.

The SPCA was also called when one of the dogs turned on a neighbour, and other complaints were made last September.

Three pit bulls, which belonged to two men living close-by in North Vancouver, were seized following the Christmas Eve cat attack. A bitch was put down, a puppy was later stolen from the SPCA's Vancouver shelter, and the other dog was returned to its owner last Friday. Hughes questioned why that dog has been returned.

In 2001, the District of North Vancouver and Coquitlam ditched the SPCA amid allegations of animal mistreatment and a failure to enforce anti-cruelty legislation.

The City of North Vancouver contracts the SPCA Vancouver branch to manage animals in the city. North Van councillors were last night discussing a plan to increase fees charged to owners of vicious dogs.

Two SPCA employees who attended last night's council meeting ignored The Province's request for comment.

dcarrigg@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Province 2006