Alberni Valley Times newspaper article

Dogs Improving, Charges Expected

-by Graham Andrews, AV Times

Charges against the owners of an alleged Port Alberni area puppy mill will likely be laid within the next two weeks, the manager of the local SPCA says.

Irene Towell said that the investigation into the complaint that led to the seizure of 36 Lhaso Apsos must be completed before the information is filed with Crown counsel. Following that, charges under the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Canadian Criminal Code will likely be laid against the Port Alberni area couple.

"We're still gathering evidence. The investigation is still ongoing," Towell said. "As soon as all of the evidence is gathered, we'll be going to Crown counsel."

Although the names of the animals' owners have been publicized in other media, the AV Times elected not to publish their names until official charges are laid out of concern for damaging any evidence for either side of the story. However, the owners of the 36 dogs have come forward and written a letter to the AV Times that is published on page 4 of today's edition. On Tuesday, veterinarians performed ultrasound examinations on all of the female Lhaso Apsos and found one to be pregnant and one to be possibly pregnant.

One of the 36 dogs, which were found in several small cages in a trailer living in their own waste, had to be euthanized on Sunday because of severe neurological damage that caused an extreme bladder infection and bowel problems. In addition to not being able to comfortably move its bowels or pass urine, the animal was also suffering from a hip dislocation that had gone untreated for some time.

Blood tests on the other 35 dogs have also shown that many of them suffer from internal parasites and are anemic. Many are also extremely thin and suffering from urine scald to their feet, a condition caused by living in their own waste.

But Towell said the animals are improving in health and spirit.

"The dogs are definitely improving," she said. "Next week we'll be asking people to come and walk them and socialize them and cuddle them."

A report from veterinarian Dr. Patty Radcliffe indicates that, while many of the dogs were aggressive and soiling their beds, many have also become more receptive to human contact.