CTV News at Six
July 6, 2004

Bill Good: A different kind of kidnapping video was released today, different because the victim happens to be a dog. It is the latest twist in the strange tale of Cheech. CTV's John Fenton reports about how a rescue mission for a condemned dog has morphed into a full-blown political campaign.

John Fenton: These are the latest pictures of Cheech, shot by his captors in a secret location.

Ali Yazman: There really isn't much more you can ask from a shelter dog.

John Fenton: Ali Yazman, a former dog trainer for the Turkish military, is offering his so-called expert testimony in the latest offensive against the SPCA. An offensive orchestrated by the people who dognapped Cheech a month ago when the Delta shelter issued a death sentence.

Ali Yazman: Cheech is a dog who showed a lot of good social skills and also has exercised a lot of self-control.

Female Voice: No threatening behavior (referring to assessment).

John Fenton: From top secret SPCA documents to pre-packaged (Animal Advocates Society) DVDs for the media, it's not just about saving Cheech anymore. It's about changing how the SPCA decides which dogs live and which ones die.

Jennifer Dickson Research Director for AAS: It's really not fair. A dog's true nature does not come out when they're cornered and terrified.

John Fenton: The SPCA stands by their testing and their conclusion.

CEO Craig Daniell: And we have to make decisions that may seem unpopular and based on the information we have at that stage we believe it to be the right decision.

Unknown Reporter: Do you know where Cheech is?

Jennifer Dickson: If we knew, we would go to jail before we told.

John Fenton: But the fact is the SPCA isn't even looking for Cheech. They're not even looking for his captors.

Craig Daniell: That's pretty much a moot point at this point.

John Fenton: It appears the activists' biggest fear now is that this story could die and with it the pressure on the SPCA to change its ways.

Child (to Cheech): Oh, thank you.

John Fenton CTV News

Child (to Cheech): Good dog.