Animal Advocates Watchdog

CTV News at 6: June 24/04: SPCA's "assessments" exposed for what they are - frauds

Bill Good: For more than a week Cheech, the dog, has been on the lam. His supporters took him from the Delta SPCA after management ruled he's dangerous and ordered him killed. Tonight CTV's Renu Bakshi has obtained copies of the SPCA's own behavorial assessments of Cheech. And you can judge for yourself whether the documents contradict the agency's claims.

Renu Bakshi: He's marked for death but nowhere to be found. Not by the SPCA. Not by Delta Police. Even the people who took him will only say Cheech is safe. For more than a week the SPCA has argued that the Rottweiler Lab cross is dangerous, a puppy that can turn on people.

Nadine Gourkow: The high propensity for this dog to unfortunately to be aggressive and probably be aggressive towards the most vulnerable.

Renu Bakshi: The SPCA says it can back up that claim with a behavioral test that included running with the dog and staring at him while he's caged.

Nadine Gourkow: There were some attacks. There were some threats from the dog.

Renu Bakshi: But it turns out Cheech was tested three times by the BC SPCA. CTV has obtained the written results of two of those tests and guess what? Cheech passed. Both times. Not according to the SPCA.

Nadine Gourkow: One was simply stand in front of the cage and look at the dog, which some dogs obviously will respond and feeling that this is a threat.

Renu Bakshi: How did this one?

Nadine Gourkow: This one showed very high fearfulness. He was in what we call the red zone.

Renu Bakshi: Not according to this he didn't.

Nadine Gourkow: Yes.

Renu Bakshi: You're talking about watching the dog in the kennel?

Nadine Gourkow: Yes.

Renu Bakshi: It shows no fearful behavior. No threatening behavior. That contradicts what you just told me. In fact, one assessor who's an SPCA animal control officer made this recommendation: "I feel in time Cheech will come around just as the other concerning dogs we had did, but he needs to get out of a kennel/confinement environment first." Basically, he's says this dog has a chance. You're not giving him that chance.

Nadine Gourkow: No.

Renu Bakshi: The SPCA says they're relying on the third test, the one Cheech failed, the first two tests simply don't count. Even though the assessors performed the exact same evaluations.

Crowd (last Saturday): Give Cheech a chance.

Renu Bakshi: Despite protests against Cheech being destroyed, the SPCA's order to kill him still stands. But they'll have to find him first. Renu Bakshi, CTV News.

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