June 18, 2004
South Delta Leader
SPCA staff 'rescue' dog slated to die by Daniel Pi

Two local SPCA staff have been suspended from work after they kidnapped a dog scheduled to be euthanised Wednesday morning.
Amanda Muir and Kirsten McConnell took the young Rottweiler/Labrador cross named Cheech after failed attempts by several people, including representatives of the Animal Advocacy Society, to halt plans to put the dog down.
According to a biography posted on the Internet, Cheech's owner raised him to be a guard dog. Not yet a year old, he came into the hands of the SPCA in February 2004 and has undergone rehabilitation, said Lorie Chortyk, spokesperson for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"All our attempts to help it recover have been unsuccessful," Chortyk said. "Unfortunately, all the assessments have shown it was becoming increasingly aggressive around men and children."
The decision to euthanize Cheech wasn't made lightly, Chortyk added, and four people signed off on the decision. Asked about Muir's role in the process, Chortyk answered, "She's very emotionally attached to the dog."
Muir survived a Rottweiler attack in 2003 while transporting a dog to the Tsawwassen Animal Hospital. She worked at the SPCA shelter at the time, and suffered broken bones in both her arms before passersby intervened.
Chortyk said the SPCA has to balance saving animals and the safety of the community, and the organization believed the dog could not be re-released to the community because of its aggression towards men and children.
In an email to the B.C. SPCA, Judith Stone, president of the Animal Advocates Society of B.C., recently offered to foster Cheech and bear the costs.
However, Chortyk said it's not a matter of money or expertise, but rather the safety of people who might come in contact with Cheech, adding that the SPCA would continue to be responsible for the dog's actions. Chortyk also said Stone's organization has not assessed the dog, and therefore doesn't understand the dog's disposition.
Delta Police were called Wednesday to recover the dog but were unsuccessful. Chortyk said the SPCA continues to work with police to get Cheech back. Chortyk said the dog would not be reassessed or given more time for rehabilitation.
As of noon Thursday, the location of the Cheech was still unknown and calls to Muir and McConnell were not returned by the South Delta Leader's deadline.

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