The Kelowna Daily Courier, Thursday, August 29, 2002

Euthanasia best option, says SPCA
Some of the dogs taken from a Beaverdell breeder will be put down
by Don Plant

Several dogs seized from a Beaverdell breeder last month will be euthanized by the SPCA.

Some of the 53 malamute-shepherd crosses now staying at the Casorso Road shelter are so traumatized they may never adapt to the human world, said assistant manager Kathy Woodward. 

"We want to do what's best for these animals.  Unfortunately for some of them, what's best is euthanasia, "she said.  

They're terrified of their own bark.  Any sound and they hit the ground.  A siren goes by and we have 40 cowering dogs.  A thunderstorm is an absolute nightmare."

Crown prosecutors have laid three charges against Gaston Lapointe, who leashed the dogs to ropes tied between trees on his five-acre property near Beaverdell.  The charges allege the dogs endured distress and suffering in his care.  

Lapointe, 58, argues it's the SPCA that caused his dogs distress.  He says the dogs were healthy and well-fed before the July 3 seizure, the largest animal-cruelty seizure in Kelowna.  Several owners who bought puppies from him over the years can attest to their good health, he said.  "This is paradise for my dogs," he said from Beaverdell.  "They had, 5000 trees and 60 feet to run.  Where did they take them?  To a little six-by-six cage with a cement floor."  Shelter staff claim the animals had inadequate food, water and shelter and showed signs of neglect and giardia due to contaminated water.  They've kept the dogs away from the public, vaccinated the animals twice and treated them for giardia whether they had it or not.  (AAS: See AAS web page at: PHOTOS OF BEAVERDELL DOGS)

Lapointe says he's too broke to pay his lawyer, so he'll  advertise a song he released about the seizure and divert proceeds to his defence fund.  Lawyer Bill Clarke said he'll reduce his fee because he believes the Kelowna SPCA which prosecutes as many cases of animal abuse as the rest of BC's SPCA branches combined, has acted "heavy handedly."  "It appears that they're trying to determine the jurisdiction they have over the removal of animals and the powers they're able to enforce," he said.

The Beaverdell pack has grown to 64 dogs after 13 puppies were born at the shelter and two died.  Now that criminal charges are laid, the dogs are in limbo.  Staff may be forbidden to adopt them out unless Lapointe is convicted.  Clark is now preparing a petition to have the animals returned to Lapointe.  The shelter has racked up over $20,000 in expenses looking after the dogs and expects Lapointe to pay the bill if he's allowed them back. Lapointe says he can't afford it. 

To make room for the Beaverdell pack, all dogs staying at the shelter were moved out to foster homes in Kelowna.  Regional district dog control has been caring for strays and surrendered dogs since the seizure.  Lapointe faces a fine, imprisonment or an order barring him from owning animals for life if convicted.  His first court appearance is set for Sept 9/02.