Langley Times
http://www.langleytimes.com/

SPCA responds to reader's criticisms

Feb 21 2007

Editor: The letter by Terrance Veer in the Feb. 7 issue of your paper contains several disturbing allegations. I believe he does a serious disservice to humane organizations by suggesting that groups who work to protect animals from harm lack credibility and are imposing their own political will on others with "bad evidence."

The BC SPCA, for example, has a legal mandate to respond to complaints of animal cruelty and to present evidence to Crown counsel based on laws contained within the Criminal Code of Canada and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. By enforcing these laws, the B.C. SPCA is not imposing its own political will, but rather upholding the laws of this country that protect animals from abuse and neglect.

In the case of Hazina, the baby hippo who was kept in a shed at the Greater Vancouver Zoo for 19 months, Crown counsel charged the zoo with causing distress to Hazina after carefully weighing the evidence presented. The fact that Crown later decided that it was not in the public interest to pursue the case, because the zoo eventually complied with B.C. SPCA orders, does not mean the initial charge was not warranted or valid.

Mr. Veer's comment that the SPCA has "accepted responsibility" for the death of Tina the elephant is also fabricated and completely absurd. The B.C. SPCA was not party to any of the zoo's actions or decisions regarding Tina. While it is convenient to blame others, it was the zoo's responsibility to provide proper care for Tina and to make decisions in her best interest.

Last year the B.C. SPCA cared for nearly 50,000 animals in need. Perhaps if Mr. Veer saw firsthand the cases of horrific animal cruelty that B.C. SPCA constables deal with each and every day, he would be less likely to question the credibility of humane organizations and the need for actions that protect animals from violence and abuse.

Craig Daniell, CEO,

B.C. SPCA,