http://www.spca.bc.ca/media/BellaCoolaSeizure_March212007_Press.asp
Dogs seized from Interior puppy mill breeder
March 21, 2007. For immediate release. BC SPCA Animal Protection Officers have seized nine Shih Tzu-type dogs from an Interior breeder believed to be supplying puppies to pet stores in the Greater Victoria area. "The dogs were dehydrated, badly matted, covered in feces and living in filthy conditions in a garage," said Marcie Moriarty, General Manager of Cruelty Investigations. "One of the dogs was also suffering from an untreated eye condition." During the seizure, the animal cruelty officers also seized a sick and undernourished St. Bernard mix dog from the property. "The latest seizure is part of an on-going investigation with this breeder," said Moriarty. "We have issued numerous orders and given her every opportunity to address the animal welfare concerns in her facility but she has not complied."

Since November, 2006 the BC SPCA has removed 21 other sick and neglected dogs from the same facility. The dogs taken into care in the earlier investigations have received veterinary care, grooming and have since been adopted into loving homes.

"This case highlights the on-going problem of unscrupulous breeders supplying pet stores with puppies for sale," said Moriarty. "Our animal cruelty officers work tirelessly to stop puppy mill operations but as long as people keep purchasing animals they see in pet store windows the cycle of abuse will continue. It's a simple case of supply and demand and it is the animals who suffer."

The BC SPCA investigation into the Interior puppy mill case continues and charges of animal cruelty are pending. If charged and convicted, the breeder faces a maximum $2,000 fine, up to six months in jail or a prohibition on owning animals for a period of time determined by a judge.

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For more information:
Marcie Moriarty, General Manager, Cruelty Investigations, BC SPCA, 604-647-1318.

http://www.spca.bc.ca/media/SuspectedMissionPuppyMill_Dec22008_Press.asp
SPCA seizes neglected dogs from suspected puppy mill in Mission
December 2, 2008. For immediate release.

The BC SPCA is currently caring for 46 dogs and newborn puppies - some only hours old - seized by animal protection officers from a suspected puppy mill in Mission on Nov. 28.

The chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers were confined in mostly dark, unventilated rooms inside small, filthy cages littered with urine and excrement. Two of the rooms reeked of ammonia due to the accumulation of urine.

One adult rottweiler was housed on the porch in a travel crate filled with wet bedding and empty dog food bags.

The animals were suffering from a variety of ailments, including untreated eye, skin and genital infections, dental disease, matted fur and overgrown nails resulting from severe neglect. A few of the dogs also exhibited aggressive behaviour.

"It's absolutely disgusting that someone would permit an animal to live in such desperate misery like this," said BC SPCA senior animal protection officer Eileen Drever. "It breaks my heart."

The SPCA also seized 12 Persian-type cats and kittens with health issues from the Mission residence.

All of the animals are currently under veterinary care in the custody of the BC SPCA, where one of the seized chihuahuas gave birth to four puppies over the weekend.

Drever says the SPCA will be recommending charges of animal cruelty against the breeder. In the meantime, she cautions people who are thinking about purchasing a puppy from a pet store this Christmas to consider where it came from.

"Few pet stores deal with reputable breeders and in fact most deal with breeders such as this one," says Drever. "And when we patronize their stores, we are in fact contributing to, causing and perpetuating the pain and suffering of companion animals."

The BC SPCA has recently produced an online resource to help educate the public about puppy mills. Visit spca.bc.ca/advocacy to find out more.

Bringing animal abusers to justice is costly. Last year alone, the BC SPCA spent more than $1.8 million investigating 4,600 complaints, caring for animals in distress and preparing charges for Crown counsel. To help the BC SPCA fight animal cruelty, visit spca.bc.ca/cruelty.

Click on any of the thumbnail photos below to view larger picture in new browser window:

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For further information:
Eileen Drever, senior animal protection officer, BC SPCA, 604-834-7854;
Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations, BC SPCA, 604-647-1316.

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http://www.spca.bc.ca/media/LangleySuspectedPuppyMill_Dec182007.asp
BC SPCA seizes 29 dogs from suspected puppy mill in Langley
December 18, 2007. For immediate release. BC SPCA constables have executed a warrant to seize 29 dogs from a suspected puppy mill operation in Langley. The dogs, some only a few days old, included 25 Yorkshire terriers, two shih tzus and two boxers. They are currently undergoing veterinary care in SPCA custody.

According to BC SPCA Senior Animal Protection Officer Eileen Drever the dogs had been badly neglected and were suffering extremely poor welfare. "They were being kept in tiny, filthy cages piled with feces and drenched with urine," she said. "They were very thin and dirty and were suffering from a number of health issues, ranging from eye infections and ear mites to knee injuries and dental problems." She said the animals were crowded into undersized cages and forced to stand on wire mesh. Several of the animals had no access to water.

Drever adds that the small room where the animals were confined had no ventilation. "The ammonia from the urine and the smell of feces was absolutely overwhelming in the room. I can only imagine how difficult it was for the animals to live in that environment." In addition to being in poor physical condition, several of the dogs have shown maladaptive behaviours indicative of psychological distress. "In some of the older dogs we've seen repetitive pacing and wall-bouncing, which are classic signs of emotional distress, particularly in cases where animals have been confined for long periods of time," said Drever. The SPCA is providing all of the animals seized from the Langley breeder with on-going treatment for their physical and psychological problems.

In addition to the 29 dogs seized, one rabbit was removed from the property.

The SPCA investigation continues and charges are pending in the case. If charged and convicted, the owner of the animals faces a maximum fine of $2,000, up to six months in jail and a prohibition on owning animals for a period of time determined by a judge.

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For more information:
Eileen Drever, Senior Animal Protection Officer, BC SPCA, 604-834-7854;
Marcie Moriarty, General Manager, Cruelty Investigations, 604-647-1318.

http://www.spca.bc.ca/media/TexadaSeizure_May192004_Press.asp

Animals Seized from Texada Island

May 19, 2004. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. BC SPCA animal protection officers seized five adult dogs and four puppies yesterday from a breeder on Texada Island known to supply puppies to pet stores in Greater Vancouver. The Yorkie/Pekingese-cross dogs were filthy, badly matted, suffering from serious dental problems and had no access to fresh water. The SPCA also removed 11 birds in distress from the property, including ring neck doves, finches, parakeets and canaries. The animals are currently in the custody of the SPCA and are receiving on-going treatment and care.

"It is important for people to realize when they purchase puppies from a BC pet store that there is a strong chance that those animals were supplied by a puppy mill operator," says Eileen Drever, Senior Animal Protection Officer for the BC SPCA. The term 'puppy mill' is used to describe operations where animals are bred purely for profit and where breeding animals are subjected to inhumane living conditions with little or no regard for their physical or psychological welfare. "We urge people to think carefully before buying a puppy from a pet store," says Drever. "When you buy a puppy supplied to a pet store from one of these operations, you may be inadvertently promoting and financially supporting on-going cruelty to animals." During the past two years, the BC SPCA has launched a province-wide crackdown on BC puppy mills, seizing nearly one thousand animals in distress from unscrupulous breeders.

The investigation in the Texada case is on-going and charges of animal cruelty are pending.

Further information:
Eileen Drever, Senior Animal Protection Officer, BC SPCA: (604) 709-4670;
Lorie Chortyk, Community Relations Manager, BC SPCA:
(604) 647-1316, 1-800-665-1868, or 830-7179 (cell);

http://www.spca.bc.ca/Kids/Bark!%20Issues/puppymills.pdf used in educational material for kids too.

http://www.spca.bc.ca/Advocacy/puppy/What%20is%20a%20puppy%20mill.pdf BCSPCA definition of puppy mill brochure

http://www.spca.bc.ca/Advocacy/puppy_mills.asp more puppy mill info