Global News
June 19, 2004

Suzette Myers: .... (missed first few words) a society volunteer who was in the headlines one year ago after being viciously mauled by a dog, tonight she is in the news for allegedly abducting a different dog from a shelter, a dog the SPCA says is dangerous. Bryan Grahn reports.

Crowd: Way to go Amanda. YAY!

Bryan Grahn: SPCA worker Amanda Muir receives a hero's welcome as she arrives at the Delta SPCA.

Crowd: Give Cheech a chance. Give Cheech a chance.

Bryan Grahn: This crowd has gathered to support her because she's taken a big risk to help a Rottweiler cross from being euthanized.

Crowd: Give Cheech a chance. Give Cheech a chance.

Amanda Muir: The original assessment did say that he was an adoptable dog. He was out with the public, out with these volunteers, so many of them that have spent tons of times with him and not had any problems.

Bryan Grahn: SPCA animal behavior specialists disagree. They've determined Cheech is too aggressive and unpredictable and would never be fit to return to life in the outside world.

Nadine Gourkow Animal Welfare Manager: He has attempted to bite and people have protected themselves by, the two people that he has attacked have put something in between themselves and the dog and he bit the object instead.

Bryan Grahn: Amanda's determined fight to save Cheech is rather ironic because she herself was attacked by a similar breed almost a year ago to the day.

June 2003 footage -- man: I grabbed the skin on back of its neck and just held it and I could feel it just coming around on me and growling. I just got really scared there.

Bryan Grahn: Amanda was transporting an injured Rottweiler guard dog when it attacked, inflicting serious wounds to her arms.

Crowd: Give Cheech a chance. Give Cheech a chance.

Bryan Grahn: Amanda and co-worker Kirsten McConnell have done just that by allegedly taking Cheech from the SPCA. So where is Cheech now and what's going to happen?

Amanda Muir: I'm sorry I can't comment on that. I can't.

Michelle Rodgers Delta Shelter Manager: We followed SPCA protocol and unfortunately we need to be responsible for the animals that we're rehoming and putting out into the community. We empathize with their stance and their situation however we need to, we need to be reliable when placing animals in the community and we need to ensure that they're safe so we don't have an incident where an animal does bite somebody.

Bryan Grahn: The SPCA has now temporarily suspended both workers and is asking Delta Police to consider laying theft charges.

Crowd: Give Cheech a chance. Give Cheech a chance.

Amanda to Rottweiler protestor dog: I love you.