I thought I would tell you about an experience I had with the Surrey SPCA only a couple of months ago.

New neighbors moved into our quiet cul de sac, well, when I say moved in, they put a few boxes in the house, dumped a young lab cross in the back yard, and we didn't see them for almost a week. The neighbors took turns feeding the dog and bringing it water. We all felt so sorry for the dog. When the man returned to his home, we spoke to him about the dog. We were told his name was Lucky, and to mind our own business. We watched as the dog was left for days on end alone without food, as people came and went at the house, but never really stayed there. The SPCA was called numerous times, but nothing was ever done to help this dog.

A few weeks ago the police raided this house as it was a grow op, which is what the neighbors had suspected all along. An SPCA van came and picked up the dog. Three days later, the dog was back in the yard. More phone calls were made to the SPCA and the dog disappeared again.

A neighbor phoned the SPCA and was told that he was there. I had a friend who wanted to adopt Lucky so was at the door the next morning when it opened. She was told that Lucky did not pass the assessment and was not up for adoption.

I called the Surrey SPCA and spoke to a woman called [name removed]. She told me that Lucky had been put down. I was devastated. I asked her to explain to me why. She said that the day after Lucky went to the SPCA he was assessed, he showed aggression and was put to sleep that day. I asked her who had performed the assessment and she said she had. I asked her if she was a dog trainer and she said no, but she had taken a course called "Dog Savvy" given by the SPCA. I asked her was it wise to assess a dog the day after it came to the SPCA as it was sure to be upset and stressed at the changes in its life. She said that research had been done and it was best that the assessment was done as soon as they got in. I asked her where I could find this research so that I could read it, and I wasn't given an answer.

I told her that I had adopted a rescued dog and he didn't have any manners for about six months, and all he needed was time to settle down and feel safe. I asked her why Lucky hadn't been given that chance, and didn't she think that he could have been taught. I couldn't believe the words that came out of her mouth, she said,"Lucky was too young to be trained not to be aggressive." TOO YOUNG? I asked her if it was better to wait until a dog was older to train them not to be aggressive, and she said no. This woman did not make any sense, and yet she is in charge of saying which dogs live or die.

I told her that I thought they were a no kill shelter, and she said that they kill animals if they are sick or show any signs of aggression.

I wish that we had called AAS for advice when we first met this dog. We fed Lucky, petted him through the fence, and threw sticks for him to ease his hours of boredom and loneliness. He had a horrible start to his life, and we honestly thought we were doing the right thing calling the SPCA to help him. Instead they killed him.

WHEN LUCKY WAS KILLED BY THE SURREY SPCA, HE WAS ONE YEAR OLD.

Shame on you SPCA for not giving this dog a chance, and shame on you [name removed] for thinking that he was TOO YOUNG to be trained. The SPCA killed a sweet sweet boy that had a family who wanted to adopt him, and was loved by many neighbors. I'm so sorry that we let you down Lucky, and I'm so sorry that we called the SPCA. I for one won't make that mistake again.