'Irresponsible breeder': Charges being considered after abused dogs rescued in Clearwater

Thirty-one dogs were removed from a property in Clearwater by the BC SPCA after the owner surrendered them following an animal cruelty investigation. The dogs include dachshunds, poodles, mini schnauzers and various poodle-mix breeds of all different ages. “The dogs were owned by an irresponsible breeder who was keeping them in a dark building without adequate heating or bedding for the dogs,” said Eileen Drever with SPCA in a media release issued today, Feb. 21. “It was very unsanitary with an overwhelming ammonia smell. The owners were not providing them with the necessary veterinary care, enrichment or socialization they desperately needed.”  One senior dachshund was dragging a large abdominal mass on the ground. A veterinary examination during the SPCA’s intake process revealed the mass was a cancerous tumour in the late stages and the dog was humanely euthanized.  Drever said the situation was incredibly sad. “These dogs were treated as commodities and are not only dealing with physical health issues, but are suffering psychologically,” she said. “The dogs are extremely fearful. Many couldn’t be touched at all and the dogs cowered in fear when the owner came near.” SPCA staff are seeing the dogs doing repetitive behaviours like pacing back and forth which is a sign of a lack of mental stimulation. Drever said this is a reminder to people to do some research before purchasing a dog from a breeder. “This breeder was meeting with potential buyers in parking lots, which is a red flag that the animals are not being adequately cared for,” she said. “If they won’t let you visit the dogs where they are being housed, don’t purchase a dog from them.” It is not known at this time when the dogs will be available for adoption as they will require extensive rehabilitation efforts. The BC SPCA will be recommending charges. Go here to help these dogs and other animals in need at the BC SPCA. https://spca.bc.ca/donations/emergency-alert/ To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie mailto:sainslie@infonews.ca  or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .