I volunteered at the Burnaby SPCA for two years between one and four days a week during which time Mr Takhar was manager. Mostly I did dog walking, coordinating and I also fostered and helped find homes for small animals like degus and guinea pigs. One day a week I brought my son in. Almost every dog we met was fine with him. Almost every dog they killed was just great with him.

I posted my letter to the BOD on AAS and made many complaints on Brindleweb. Is that not public? In my opinion, the current branch manager of Burnaby lacks the knowledge and experience that it takes to make important decisions in the best interest of the dogs. Many volunteers at Burnaby were very unhappy with the killing of Norman and Mandy who I posted on AAS and Brindle in the Summer of 2004. I realize that some dogs may pose a threat to society, but do not feel the current managers of the SPCA are there to protect the dogs. They do not take into consideration reports from those who know the dogs well and are better equipped to handle them. Mandy and Norman were both excellent with my 4 year old son.

There are many dogs who have died for no just cause that were highly adoptable into the right homes. Many volunteers have tried to work with management and staff only to become frustrated and depressed. This is why so many leave. The ones that stay are afraid to speak out as they will no longer be able to work with their beloved dogs.

I personally have never seen Mr.Takhar pat a dog or even approach one yet he is the one person completely in charge of making the life and death decisions about them in Vancouver and Burnaby. Dogs have been killed for growling. This is the same thing that almost happened to Cheech months before the SPCA lost its contract with the municipality of Delta. Before they lost the contract, dogs were killed for merely growling at one person when handled roughly or startled.

In addition, as I have mentioned before, I am very concerned that most of the managers of the BCSPCA come from out of province! What a slap in the face it must be to the hard-working staff of the local shelters of which many were highly qualified and experienced in management.

Just let me know how I can help and I will be happy to talk to the AAS lawyer as well if you want to give my contact information.

Norman's story
http://www.animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/admin.pl/read/6268

Mandy's story
http://www.animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/admin.pl/read/6178

Joanna Schofer

Norman, who Mr Takhar had destroyed....