'Dognappers' hired for animal control'

By Dan Ferguson

South Delta Leader

newsroom@southdeltaleader.c

The new operator of the Delta animal shelter has hired two former
Delta SPCA staffers who were suspended in June after they spirited away a
Rottweiler-Labrador cross named "Cheech" to save him from being put down.

Amanda Muir and Kirsten McConnell defied an SPCA euthanasia order that
declared Cheech, a former guard dog, was becoming "increasingly aggressive"
around men and children.

Muir was eventually laid off and McConnell quit the SPCA.

As a result of the Cheech controversy, the municipality put the
operations of the animal shelter out to bid, and the Delta Humane Society
won the contract in October.

On Thursday, the society confirmed both Muir and McConnell have been
hired-Muir as a public relations coordinator and McConnell as an animal
control officer.

Muir made headlines in 2003 when she survived a Rottweiler attack
while transporting a dog to the Tsawwassen Animal Hospital, suffering broken
bones in both her arms before passersby intervened.

Society spokesperson Amber Cottle described both as "passionate,
dedicated" people.

Cottle also announced that Nick Henze, a 20-year veteran manager of
the Delta shelter who was transferred by the SPCA to Maple Ridge, will be
returning to the local shelter.

Cottle, a certified dog trainer from Tsawwassen, was one of the people
who condemned the SPCA decision to put Cheech down.

She says there were other issues besides Cheech that had some Delta
residents questioning the SPCA, including the local shelter being used to
accommodate animals from other communities, and a general sense that the
agency was not responsive to local concerns.

The society, which takes control of the Delta shelter Jan. 1 has
promised it will operate in a "pro-humane" manner, devoting more effort to
rehabilitating problem animals and only opting for euthanasia as a final
resort.

The new group plans to offer more services, including a
one-day-a-month free spay and neuter program for low-income pet owners, and
an initiative to provide pet companions to seniors.

Cheech meanwhile, is reportedly doing well with his new family at an
undisclosed location.