Kent Spencer
The Province
Thursday, September 02, 2004
The plight of Cheech -- a lovable Labrador-Rottweiler cross or a menace on four legs, depending on whom you ask -- has caused Delta to take a second look at the venerable animal-control agency.
Council voted unanimously not to renew its SPCA contract or its lease on the city-owned pound on 80th Street. Both are up at the end of the year.
"People have anecdotal horror stories about the SPCA amid an undercurrent of animosity and hatred," said Coun. Robert Campbell, who received almost 100 phone calls, e-mails and letters.
Cheech was dognapped two months ago after the SPCA revealed plans to kill it. Animal-rights supporters describe the dog, who is in hiding, as "sweet;" the SPCA said he was a "danger."
The SPCA called Delta's decision "disappointing."
"If Delta wants to have dangerous dogs among their children, they can do that," said SPCA spokeswoman Lorie Chortyk. "For us the issue is placing a dangerous dog into the community. . . We have been around 108 years. We believe we have served the community well."
Delta pays about $225,000 annually and the society collects about the same amount in licence fees.
The contract will be put out to tender until Sept. 30 and a decision will be reached by Oct. 18.
A new animal welfare group called the Delta Humane Society is likely to apply and the SPCA has also been encouraged to come forward with a proposal.
This photo of Cheech accompanied the article and was taken from the AAS web site. It is making the SPCA crazy that the media is using the AAS web site as a resource....