By Daniel Pi and
Dan Ferguson
South Delta Leader

Troy Hannafin said it was a spur-of-the-moment decision he made that saved Cheech from being euthanized by the Delta SPCA last Wednesday, June 16.
A four-year volunteer at the shelter who coordinated the Saturday dog walks, Hannafin said when he learned about the young Rottweiler cross's fate, he knew the shelter had made the wrong decision.
"All it takes is two minutes with this dog and with one pat on the head...The puppy comes out of him," he said, challenging assessments by the SPCA which concluded the 10-month-old former guard dog could not be rehabilitated and needed to be put down.
Hannafin, who lives in Ladner, said when he went to the shelter last Wednesday, SPCA workers Amanda Muir and Kirsten McConnell were preparing to euthanize Cheech. They wanted to ensure that only women handled the dog, because it feared men-possibly due to past abuse.
"They were trying to do the thing humanely and trying to respect their (SPCA's) decision," he said. But, according to Hannafin, the shelter's manager said the dog would be euthanized by a male veterinarian.
Hannafin didn't want the dog euthanized at all, and says he took the dog and didn't come back.
"They (Muir and McConnell) did not make this decision," he said. "I'm the one that walked out with him."
Banned from returning to the SPCA, Hannafin said through handling Cheech during Saturday dog walks over a two-month period, he believes the dog can be rehabilitated.
Staff workers Muir and McConnell have since been suspended and a rally was held Saturday outside the Delta branch offices in the Tilbury industrial area, where about 50 people came out to support the suspended SPCA staff and Cheech. Muir and McConnell also took part in the rally.
McConnell met with SPCA management on Tuesday and Craig Daniell, CEO of BC SPCA, said he obtained a statement from her about her involvement. Daniell added they have yet to speak with Muir.
A month ago, Cheryl Thomas and her 19-year-old son Chris were interested in adopting a dog and saw and played with Cheech before he was to be euthanized.
"Chris was looking at this dog that ended up being Cheech," she said.
Without staff around during their visit, Thomas said her son entered the fenced-in area with Cheech and started to play with the dog. The dog was excitable, but at no time did Cheech turn aggressive to the 6-foot-3, 200-pound young man.
Assessments done by the SPCA have said the dog was becoming increasingly aggressive towards men.
Thomas said Cheech did jump up on her son but in a playful manner.
"He's a powerful dog, he would jump up, but he wouldn't jump up aggressively," she added.
The two returned the next day and asked to take Cheech for a walk and did not encounter any problems.
Thomas said she spoke with McConnell at the shelter and was told that with some rehabilitation, Cheech would be adoptable.
The SPCA is still seeking Cheech's return.
When asked where the dog is now, Hannafin said he passed the dog along to someone else, and is no longer aware of the dog's location.
"It was better for us to not know, but we do know he is in good hands."
The "Cheech" affair has also drawn the attention Delta Coun. Robert Campbell, who filed notice Monday that he will seek a vote to have the municipality's annual contract with the SPCA reviewed, 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 said the agency should consider a "clear no-kill" policy if it wants to keep the municipal contract.
Craig Daniell, CEO of the BC SPCA, said he welcomes the review, noting the Corporation of Delta would be doing its due diligence since the contract is going to expire soon anyway.
"I think that's fine, I'm not concerned at all."
The location of Cheech remains unknown.
Attempts to reach McConnell were unsuccessful.
When contacted by the South Delta Leader, Muir said she has been advised by her union, CUPE Local 1622, to cease speaking with the media.
Muir added she and McConnell have made arrangements to meet with the SPCA again next week for further discussions.