29 Small-Breed Dogs Seized by
BC SPCA near Salmon Arm

March 12, 2003. For Immediate Release: BC SPCA special constables seized 29 dogs this afternoon from a breeder in Silver Creek, near Salmon Arm. The SPCA officers, accompanied by a veterinarian, executed a search warrant under the Provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and examined 32 dogs on the site. They found 29 of the small-breed dogs - including Terriers, Bichons, Chihuahuas, and Pekingese-crosses -- to be in sufficient distress to warrant removal. Six puppies and 23 adults dogs were taken to the Kelowna SPCA shelter, where they are receiving ongoing assessments and medical treatment.

"We received information about this property from an animal rights organization in January and have been conducting an investigation since that time to gather sufficient evidence to obtain a warrant," says Craig Daniell, General Manager of Cruelty Investigations for the BC SPCA. "The animals were in small enclosures, with poor ventilation and appeared to be suffering from a range of problems, including skin conditions, lice, earmites, infected teeth, tumors, excessive matting, badly overgrown nails and possible tapeworm." He says none of the animals were in critical distress and will likely recover with immediate medical treatment.

The dogs remain in the custody of the BC SPCA at its Kelowna shelter as the investigation continues. If charged and found guilty of animal cruelty, the owners of the dogs could face a jail term, a fine, and be prohibited from owning animals for a length of time set out by a judge.

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Further information:
Craig Daniell, General Manager of Cruelty Investigations, BC SPCA:
(604) 647-1322, 1-800-665-1868, or (604) 240-3646 (cell).
Bob Busch, Interior Regional Manager, BC SPCA: (250) 212-3429 (cell).
Lorie Chortyk, Community Relations Manager, BC SPCA:
(604) 647-1316, 1-800-665-1868, or (604) 830-7179 (cell).

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