AAS is right to be critical of the Kelowna SPCA's motives for seizing 53 dogs from Gaston Lapointe (aka "the hubcap guy"). I have done extensive research into the puppy mill industry in the Okanagan, and have received nothing but lies and dissembling of information from all the SPCAs in the Okanagan. Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm, Kamloops, all know of or have been to many mills for DECADES, all have done nothing to legislate them out. So I like to think that I too am "Informed". Until proven otherwise, I believe Kelowna is doing what the SPCA is so good at- picking a "PR moment" as I like to call them. They choose one mill out of the hundreds they know of, swoop down like heroes, seize dogs, get on TV, and get a boost in donations. Then when it all blows over, they either return the dogs or kill them if they can't sell them. And let's face it, who's going to line up outside their doors to buy 53 large mixed breed, probably desocialized dogs? They're not sellable. If they were, "shelters" all over North America wouldn't be warehousing millions of them already. So the easy out? Let's build a health problem excuse. Let's pave the way by announcing right off the bat that they "might" have giardia. Well do they or don't they? Had the dogs been tested before that statement was made? Obviously not, because if they had been then the SPCA would have known for sure whether or not they had tested positive for this TREATABLE AND NON-LIFETHREATENING intestinal protozoa. Bear in mind that this would not be the first time the SPCA has killed animals for treatable and non-lifethreatening afflications. Remember the litter of puppies found behind the dumpster that were killed over Christmas because they looked like they might have parvo? But back to Lapointe. Until I see the SPCA follow through and prosecute him you bet I remain skeptical. My bet is they'll wait for it all to boil down and return the dogs. Or they may kill them for "health reasons". Why they chose to raid Lapointe this time is beyond me, unless someone blackmailed them into it. Let's be real, they could have chosen from one of the many hundreds of puppymills in the area who peddle small breed sellable dogs. Heck, they wouldn't even have to go 70 kilometers away to get them either! And that seized product would be lot more sellable than Lapointe's 53 husky mixes. So someone must have threatened them with something really good to get them to go after Lapointe. They've know about him for years, so why now, and why him? I am skeptical of every move the SPCA makes. I'd love to have them prove me wrong this time, and follow through and prosecute Lapointe. Who will watch and make sure they follow up this time? And what really will become of those dogs? Will the SPCA feed the lazy gullible media a straight story for once?
And why the hell doesn't anyone ever identify themselves on these messageboards? What are you all afraid of, a lawsuit? Jennifer Dickson

President and Founder

Okanagan Animal Welfare Foundation