By Dan Ferguson
Staff Reporter

A fight over the fate of a Delta dog facing death has prompted a call for a municipal review of SPCA practices by Coun. Robert Campbell, who says the "Cheech" affair calls into question the group's policies on animal euthanasia.

When two SPCA staffers spirited away the young Rottweiler-Labrador-cross from the Delta shelter last week to prevent the dog from being put down, the agency called police and suspended the staffers, one of them Amanda Muir, who is still recovering from a 2003 attack by another dog.

Campbell filed notice Monday that he will seek a vote to have the municipality's annual contract with the SPCA reviewed as well, saying he's personally offended by the agency's refusal to consider anything except putting the dog down.

"This thing really bothered me," Campbell said. "It's pretty heavy-handed."

Campbell thinks a review of the municipal contract with the SPCA is long overdue.

"They keep coming back to us, asking for more money," Campbell said.

"Maybe it's time we put some pressure on the SPCA."

Campbell says the agency should have a "clear no-kill" policy if it wants to keep the municipal contract.

His proposal will be considered at the next meeting of council.

Meanwhile, Cheech remains in hiding, with Muir refusing to reveal his whereabouts.
She disputes the Delta shelter assessment that the dog is dangerous, saying the animal can be rehabilitated.