From: Animal Advocates
To: editor@theprogress.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 8:21 PM
Subject: Chilliwack encourages backyard breeding

Angela Nielsen, in her letter of September 12th, asks why Chilliwack Animal Control is allowed to adopt out dogs to anyone who hands over $50. That's a misuse of the word "adoption". What CAC is doing is a sale, not an adoption. Using the right word answers the question. Pound contracting is all about running the most profitable dog disposal contract, not about animal wefare or suffering dogs.

Commissionaires BC is contracted by the City of Chilliwack to round up and dispose of stray dogs, and dogs that are not sold are killed. There is no requirement for a degree in economics in the dog disposal business. In fact, there is no requirement for any education at all, certainly not in knowledge of animals; just the willingness to dispose of dogs, by killing them if they don't sell fast enough or are sick or injured.

CAC had a poor reputation with the dog rescue network before some volunteers began devoting themselves to saving the lives of as many dogs are they could by paying vet bills and getting the dogs into foster homes and rescue groups. Then the City backed the contractor in getting rid of the "bleeding heart dog-lovers" who were in the way, and business went back to usual - sell to anyone, no matter how bad they clearly were, and kill what doesn't sell. They actually ripped up the volunteer's adoption agreement forms and ordered that all dogs were to be sold to the first person with $50. If dogs were being bought to use in the dog-fighting pits that ring Chilliwack, so what? Not the City's business.

The City of Chilliwack's website invites people to, "discover our lifestyle". Red-neck cruelty is the lifestyle of hundreds of Chilliwack's dogs. Its pound is as bad as 19th century pounds. Its ruthless dog-catching contract ought to make the mayor and council cringe in shame. Video of some Chilliwack yard dogs on our website shows what we are talking about.

Let's hope Ms Nielsen's letter opens this ugly can of worms to the light of day and that Chilliwack's dog-lovers get together and speak for Chilliwack's dog victims.

Judy Stone, President,
Animal Advocates Society of BC
www.animaladvocates.com