A letter from BS SPCA Regional Manager Bob Busch - a reason that we can still not trust the SPCA

Mr Busch wrote this letter in response to the outrage at the killing by the Kamloops SPCA of a cocker spaniel and a poodle which had been surrendered from a puppy mill to the Kamloops SPCA. They were killed in spite of many offers from volunteers to foster them, and in spite of the pleas of Lynda Miller of Kamloops to be allowed to adopt one of them. They were killed because this is what the SPCA has always done - killed in preference to using any outside offers of help. Read how the Kelowna SPCA using CAMP killed many dogs seized from a roadside breeder, in spite of many offers from volunteers who were allowed to come to love the dogs over many months and walk with them. CAMP/Kelowna SPCA said they were aggressive. Look at their pictures and read volunteer's testimonies and judge for yourself. http://www.animaladvocates.com/beaverdell-topaz.htm

Not only did Kelowna volunteers beg for the lives of the Beaverdell dogs, but the Alaskan Malamute Help League's offer to foster and rehabilitate was ignored too.

The cocker and the poodle "sheltered" by the Kamloops SPCA were killed using CAMP, the BC SPCA's new tool to prevent critics from accusing it of killing arbitrarily at the whim of any member of staff who happens to feel like it. CAMP, in its current form, with tests to determine temperament but without any remediation program, is a weapon against dogs and a shield for the SPCA and a devise to keep the SPCA in the pet disposal business.

Please write your concerns about Mr Busch's letter and the use of CAMP to euthanize dogs at the Kamloops SPCA to Thompson Region BC SPCA director Pat Cutler at pcutler@cariboo.bc.ca and to the Kim Capri, Chief Operating Officer of the BC SPCA at kcapri@spca.bc.ca and to the President of the BC SPCA, Rick Sargent at roxiegirl@shaw.ca and to Craig Daniell, BC SPCA CEO and Manager of Cruelty Investigations at cdaniell@spca.bc.ca.

Link to more posts on the Kamloops killings and the letter from Lynda Miller of Kamloops that started it all: http://www.animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/admin_config.pl/read/2509

Link to more posts on the BC SPCA's killer CAMP http://www.animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/admin_config.pl/read/2414

This is Mr Busch's letter to selected critics of the killings. Mr Busch did not send his letter to Lynda Miller who is the witness to what was done, nor to AAS...

This letter is written to all those who have communicated dissatisfaction with the euthanasias last week of two dogs at the BC SPCA Kamloops shelter. Although I personally was not aware of the situation until yesterday, I have reviewed the case with the Branch Manager and support her decision.

The two dogs in question were unsocialized and extremely fearful of humans. Although a month was spent attempting to rehabilitate the dogs, they did not improve and it was deemed inhumane to let them live in constant fear of humans. That reluctant decision was made by two qualified assessors and a Companion Animal Management Program trainer, who were unanimous in their decision.

Although the BC SPCA supports the use of qualified and appropriate foster homes and rescue groups, it was decided that the nature of these dogs' behaviour would not have been improved in a foster/rescue situation.

Allegations that the dogs were euthanized due to barking are totally false, as is the statement that one remaining dog was slated for euthanasia on May 20th.

We appreciate the concern shown by all those who have communicated with us and hope that you, in turn, will appreciate that the BC SPCA is forced to make very difficult animal welfare decisions on a daily basis. Our CAMP assessment tool is a method of assisting that decision-making process through evaluating an animal's emotional/behavioral state. The tool is not perfect, but does allow us some objectivity in deciding an animal's future. If you disagree with the tool, that is your right, but please ask yourself if it is acceptable to allow an animal to live a life of fear and suffering. Quality of life vs quantity of life: that is the moral/ethical dilemma with which we were faced and we acted, as always, in the best interests of the animals concerned.

Our thanks for your strong support of animal welfare. The animals of this province are fortunate to have so many voices acting on their behalf.

Robert Busch

BCSPCA Regional Manager, Interior

email: bbusch@spca.bc.ca

Read the posts in this thread to see why we think Mr Busch's letter is not "accurate".