Hats off to the BC SPCA for seizing 29 dogs from Vi and John Robinson in Silver Creek BC, on March 12, 2003, as well as to Salmon Arm Observer reporter Tracy Hughes for her thorough coverage of the story.

Okanagan Animal Welfare Foundation and Animal Advocates Society began investigating puppy mills in the Okanagan in 1999. Every mill we investigated was reported to the SPCA branch whose jurisdiction it fell under by OKAWF and by many others over years, sometimes decades , and in every case the SPCA branch receiving our report was already aware of the mill. In the case of the Robinson's mill, we were told by Salmon Arm SPCA that they had been running their breeding operation since 1956.

Every time we reported a mill, the SPCA consistently told us that there was nothing it could do, that as long as the dogs had food, water, and shelter, their hands were tied, as the laws weren't adequate. Vi Robinson herself told OKAWF that the SPCA had been through her property many times for many years and had found nothing wrong.

So what has happened? Have the laws changed? Certainly not. The Provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is the very same as it was in 1999. Yes, the Robinson's dogs could have been seized in 1999. They could have been seized decades ago.

Due to the diligent watchdogging of the SPCA by AAS and other organizations and individuals, the SPCA has been forced to change. What we have seen so far is much change for the better. Certain new executive staff and board members at head office are working towards making the SPCA more accountable to its mandate: To speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

It is sad that the new General Manager of Cruelty Investigations had to rely on investigative evidence and tips from OKAWF and AAS in order to locate some of the worst puppy mills in B.C. (yes, there are more). No records of our reports to branches had been kept.

From the BC SPCA press release of March 12, 2003:

"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 ...to be in sufficient distress to warrant removal."

What is important here is that for once, no mention is made of food, water, or shelter. The SPCA has finally expanded its definition of neglect to include other types of suffering, i.e, matted haircoats and overall poor health, poor ventilation, and psychological distress due to inadequate living conditions.

Also from the press release: "none of the animals were in critical distress, and will likely recover with immediate medical treatment." OKAWF and AAS have waited a long time for the SPCA to seize animals before they are dead or almost dead. Animals no longer have to be in "critical distress" to be seized.

The old-guard SPCA motto:"As long as they have food , water, and shelter, there's nothing we can do, the laws aren't adequate " is finally dead.

Proof of how long that old-guard motto has been in existence is in Vi Robinson's own words: "If anyone says they weren't being fed, it is an outright lie. Maybe it isn't right to lock them all in kennels, but they all had shelter." (from Salmon Arm Observer, "Suspected Puppy Mill Busted" March 21, 2003). Vi Robinson very likely cannot understand why her dogs were seized. For decades, food, water, and shelter had always been enough to satisfy the SPCA whenever it came calling. Suddenly, now it isn't.

We hope many other mills around the province will be in for the same surprise.

Tracy Hughes of the Salmon Arm Observer provided thorough coverage of the Robinson seizure. She addresses aspects of puppy milling that go beyond the treatment of the dogs: who are the buyers, and how much revenue is generated in this unregulated industry?

From Hughes' article: "Robinson says she does not keep track of how many dogs she sells each year. She would sell Yorkshire terrier puppies for $500 each while most other breeds went for $250" . "I try to sell them to supplement my pension" says Robinson. But if she does not keep track of how many she sells, then obviously this is income that is not reported to Revenue Canada.

And as for the buyers- "Puppies from the Robinson's operation were sold to pet stores in Salmon Arm and Vernon or to pet brokers at the Lower Mainland. She also sold privately through advertisements." Thank you Tracy - finally, a journalist with the courage to bluntly relate the facts. If the public is not told where pet shop pups and home retailed pups really come from, they can't know of the suffering they are enabling to continue by being the willing (and unwitting) purchasing market.

We are glad to see the BC SPCA is finally interested in shutting down puppy mills. But in order to keep them shut down, the BC SPCA must next work on adopting a system of regulating the industry. Control of breeding bylaws and litter licensing is the only way to end the suffering endured by thousands of animals in our province who are victims of the unregulated dog breeding industry.