This seizure may or may not be justified. It "sounds" awful, but then we have been fooled by SPCA press releases in the past. No one can be sure if the SPCA is telling the truth because of all its past misrepresentations. I for one, want an SPCA whose word can be trusted, so that I know that the SPCA is honestly putting animals first.

Note the SPCA's stock phrase, "One of the worst cases of animal cruelty." That makes almost 100% of cases "the worst case". It would be interesting to count the number of times the SPCA has said this.

THE PROVINCE
Latest News

One of the worst cases of animal cruelty, says SPCA officer

Jered Stuaffco
The Province

May 22, 2005

B.C. SPCA officers seized 46 animals, many tied up with heavy chains, from a "junk-yard" farm near Edgewood in the West Kootenays region near Nakusp.

Investigating officer Brad Kuich said it was one of the worst animal busts he'd ever seen.

"There were feces everywhere. Old cars, garbage, boards with nails sticking out in deep grass, you name it," Kuich said yesterday.

Along with a lack of proper food and water, some of the animals had been tethered for so long that their necks sported cuts and infections.

Thirty goats, nine Heeler-cross dogs, six cows and a cat were seized.

An arthritic cow was euthanized by officers because it was "too far gone," Kuich said.

One "emaciated" dog weighed only 20 kilograms and was tied up with a 10-kilogram chain.

The owners face possible criminal charges.