information available and thank you Leilah for your posting!

AAS wrote:

Creston PAWS Society is getting these dogs, but how? A seizure implies a legal process which can only be carried out by the SPCA or the police. Which body did the seizing?

In fact this person signed a release to PAWS after three years of them constantly requesting this! So, they were able to start visiting and feeding the dogs the day this release was signed.

What was the owner doing with the dogs? Is it a dirt cheap puppy mill? And if so, was the owner selling the pups to pet stores and if so, which and where?

This person is VERY MENTALLY ILL and is a hoarder and a collector. He did not sell the dogs, nor was it a puppy mill in the true sense of the word. As Leiha stated, he thought he was going to "race" these dogs!

And why cats? Are they purebred? And were the kittens being sold to pet stores? What was so wrong with the cats that they had to be destroyed and who did the destroying?

There were 30 cats found in a house and yet, this person stated that there are at least 20 more than have not been seen by PAWS, but no one has been able to find them. The cats were abused beyond belief, and some were found very disfigured, tortured and all were beyond assistance. This "house" was filled with animal feces, rotting garbage, etc. etc. The rescuers could only be in the house for a few minutes at a time as the stench was overwhelming.

And last, and far from least, has the SPCA known of these animals, and for how long?

Complaints have been sent to both the Cranbrook and Castelgar SPCA's for over three years...nothing happened! Also complaints were sent to the RCMP, but not until this person was found squatting on crown land did the RCMP step in.

Now the good news:

ALL DOGS ARE OFF THE MOUNTAIN as of last night. They are being well feed and learning to play with toys! It appears they are adjusting to kindness and a gentle touch very, very quickly :)

None are chained and at first they had difficulty understanding that they could move about freely, but are getting more and more comfortable as the days go by.

A few dogs are now in safe foster homes or adoptive homes, but many, many more are needed! At last count 21 pups have now added to the count, so there are over 100 animals that are in desperate need of homes.

If anyone can help with donations, fostering or adopting one of these rescued souls, please contact me directly.

More information will be posted as it becomes available and a press release should be issued by PAWS today.