From the Kelowna Daily Courier, Oct. 2, 2002

PAY UP, OR DOGS MAY DIE
by Don Plant, Daily Courier

If Gaston Lapointe fails to cough up $12,000 by next Wednesday, some of his dogs may be killed.
The Beaverdell breeder has received an order from the Kelowna SPCA demanding a deposit of 10-20% of the $60,000 cost of feeding and caring for the 53 animals since staff siezed them July 3.
The society can legally dispose of the shepherd malamutes on Oct 9. If Lapointe is unable to come up with the deposit by then, he loses ownership of the dogs.
"We'd like to place as many as we can into people's homes" said SPCA's assistant manager Kathy Woodward. "I still feel a few will be (euthanized) because they don't adapt".
"They cower in corners and live a life of fear. They're still just terrified by noises. I couldn't imagine going through life watching over my back and every time you hear a noise you dive for cover."
Crown prosecutors have laid three charges against Lapointe, who leashed the dogs to ropes tied between trees on his five acre property near Beaverdell. The charges allege the dogs suffered distress and suffering in his care.
Lapointe, 58, argues it's the SPCA who caused his dogs distress. He says the dogs were healthy and well fed before the seizure, the largest ever animal cruelty seizure in Kelowna. Now he plans to refinance his truck and sell 60 derelict vehicles on his property for scrap so he can come up with a $3,000 downpayment.
"This is bigger than just me. This is more than the dogs. It's about control", he said Tuesday. "We need to form a committee to overlook what the SPCA are doing, because right now they have too much power."
According to the province's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the owner of animals seized by the society is liable for the cost of looking after them, including veterinary treatment, board, and food. The SPCA served Lapointe with the order on Sept. 20.
The society can destroy, sell, or adopt out the animals even if the owner is later found not guilty. Lapointe's lawyer Bill Clarke is now trying to get an injunction to stop the disposal.
"The problem in this case is, who has $6,000- $12,000 for a deposit and can pay legal fees for both the provincial charges and the civil case?" he said. "They charge $13 a day per dog. It doesn't cost $13 a day for food.I'm guessing they don't give a bulk discount."
Clarke would hold the deposit in trust and use it to help pay costs if Lapointe is convicted. If acquitted, the SPCA would have to pay the entire bill, he said.
twenty-one puppies have been born since the seizure. Woodward hopes a trainer can be found to work with the more fearful dogs and make them more adoptable.
Lapointe makes his next court appearance on Oct. 24.