As a long-time volunteer at the Burnaby Shelter, I was there when yet another 'so-called' stray came in. I suspected he was being turned in by his owners.

Norman was a lovely black GSD who came in and was very stressed. I saw him a week later and took him for a walk with my four year old son. He walked really well on a leash, was great with my son, and was so happy to be out of his kennel. One of the staff suggested he needed fostering. I sent his write-up to the webmaster of Burnaby and he was posted. In the write-up a foster was requested. He had been assessed and was ready for adoption. He needed to be neutered and as far as I know, this was never done.

Shortly after, I contacted a GSD rescue in Washington and they agreed to take him. Another volunteer sent an email to management with this information, but we never heard back from them.

Every week I took Norman out with my son. He seemed okay. He was always great with us. He was wary of other dogs, but this is very common in GSDs in shelters. Having rescued two last year and having lived with a GSD for 10 years, I am very familiar with the breed.

I left the SPCA when they killed a Pit-Bull named Mandy. Norman was transferred to Vancouver and the last I heard, a former volunteer had contacted them that she had a foster home for him.

Today I learned that he was dead. The shelter refused to answer our emails about help for Norman and killed him for so-called "re-directed aggression". What the average person doesn't realize is that you can give any reason you want for killing a dog. They cannot speak for themselves.

I am saddened for the loss of this lovely dog. Things are getting worse at the SPCA and it is time for a change. How many more will die before something is done?

Joanna Schofer
Former Burnaby SPCA volunteer

Too bad for you Norman....