April 3, 2002 - For Immediate Release

BC SPCA Animal Talk
News and features from the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
www.spca.bc.ca

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SPCA Investigation Leads
to Animal Cruelty Charges
Near Osoyoos
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April 3, 2002 - For immediate release: Formal charges of animal cruelty have been laid against a Cawston resident following a detailed investigation by the BC SPCA. Thor Allen Johnson will appear in court in Penticton on April 8, charged with animal cruelty and neglect under the provisions of the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Criminal Code.

"The charges stem from an investigation into the mistreatment of 11 Shih Tzu dogs owned by Mr. Johnson," said Lorie Chortyk, Director of Community Relations for the BC SPCA. In January, 2002, SPCA officials from Penticton and Kelowna seized the dogs, who were in various states of distress due to lack of food, hygiene, and dental care. "The dogs were kept in a dirty, enclosed space on a rented property near Osoyoos with barely enough space to stand up and turn around," said Chortyk. "In addition to being physically neglected it appears that they had little or no human contact or socialization."

If found guilty, Mr. Johnson could face a jail sentence, fines, and prohibition from keeping an animal. All of the 11 Shih Tzus, plus four puppies born to one of the seized dogs, have been placed in good homes by the SPCA.

Further information:
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Lorie Chortyk, Director of Community Relations, BC SPCA
(604)647-1316, or (604)830-7179 (cell).

Russ Forand, Kelowna SPCA, (250) 861-7722.

So what happened to Mr Johnson... anything? Or was this another p.r. money grab and the dogs all got sold? they were all little pure breds weren't they? What's the point if the SPCA doesn't bring these people to court? What happened to Scarlet's owner? Does anyone know if it's expensive for the SPCA to take someone to court? I read on one of the boards that the SPCA could hire its own lawyer to prosecute, but that would cost the spca money, so it leaves it up to the prosecutors office and they aren't interested. What does anyone know about this?