Van Dongens battling SPCA

By Christina Toth - Staff reporter

Quirinus C. van Dongen, the 85-year-old father of Abbotsford MLA John van Dongen, is suing the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for $22,500 for costs incurred as a result of an animal seizure in 2003.

The case was before small claims at the Abbotsford provincial courthouse Wednesday and Friday and will resume on April 12.

His son, Casey van Dongen, said costs include care of 44 horses and 62 cattle while in the SPCA's care and for loss of value of the horses.

"The horses contracted strangles while in the custody of the SPCA. You're basically under self-imposed quarantine. You have to treat the whole herd as if they have it," said Casey.

In early April 2003, the SPCA seized 106 animals from the senior van Dongen's property at Le Feuvre Road and from Sorensen Road on Matsqui Prairie. Forty-four horses were taken and 62 cattle after the SPCA received a tip the animals were in distress as they didn't have access to dry shelter and fresh water.

All the animals were returned to van Dongen a week later after he signed an agreement that he would ensure the animals would be kept in acceptable conditions. The charges were dismissed in December 2004.

Speaking as a sworn witness and on his father's behalf, Casey van Dongen submitted two bills for boarding costs his father received from the SPCA, and veterinary bills for the horses. He reminded the judge that Q.C. van Dongen testified on Wednesday that he missed the 2003 spring auction because the horses were in quarantine and lost potential income.

Several of the horses were held at the Langley Auction Market for the SPCA.

When asked by SPCA lawyer, Don Montrichard if he wanted to teach the SPCA a lesson, John van Dongen Sr. replied: "They need to be taught a lot of lessons. The SPCA used to a be very good organization, but in the last 20 years they've been poor," - which the SPCA denies.

published on 03/21/2006

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