Seven dogs rescued from North Okanagan backyard breeder

The BC SPCA has rescued seven dogs from abusive conditions in a small community in the North Okanagan. A backyard breeder in Cherryville had been keeping their dogs, including four puppies, outside in freezing temperatures and filthy pens, according to a BC SPCA press release issued today, Jan. 19. “A concerned citizen called our animal helpline about the living conditions of these dogs,” Eileen Drever with the SPCA said in the release. The owner had been keeping the two four-year-old standard poodles, a five-year-old Australian shepherd, a four-year-old cocker spaniel and three five-month-old Australian shepherd poodle mix puppies outdoors. “When the animal protection officer visited the property, they observed the dogs in outdoors pens with only some straw on the ice and snow and a couple of tarps for cover,” Drever said. “This is yet another case of a backyard breeder not taking adequate care of their dogs.” Drever said freezing conditions are especially dangerous for these dog breeds. “Dogs kept outside are inherently vulnerable but in these freezing temperatures they are also susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. These dog breeds are particularly vulnerable as they do not have the kind of coats that can endure lengthy periods of time outdoors in freezing temperatures, especially the puppies,” Drever said. The pens the dogs were found in were contaminated with feces and urine, and dirty water bowls were flipped over or frozen. “Although some of the dogs had access to plastic dog crates, there was very little bedding and it's clear these dogs suffered in the cold with no other options to get warm,” Drever said. The SPCA is asking the public to research breeders before purchasing a dog to ensure people are not supporting abusive backyard breeders. The dogs are currently safe and sound at shelters around the Okanagan, and should be available for adoption in a week or two. To contact a reporter for this story, email Jesse Tomas mailto:jtomas@infonews.ca  or call 250-488-3065 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 .