‘This is not a rescue operation,’: SPCA after second animal seizure in Langley
Posted March 20, 2017 6:38 pm.
Last Updated March 21, 2017 11:41 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LANGLEY (NEWS 1130) – Animal protection officers have returned to a three-bedroom home in Langley, where 88 animals were seized just six months ago. This time officers have taken two dogs, 10 puppies, four cats and a rabbit.
Lorie Chortyk with the SPCA says the animals were starving, and suffering from effects related to poor shelter conditions. And she explains sometimes it takes a tip from the public to have animal control officers brought in. “We also do get community complaints about these things. If we have reason to believe that animals are distressed we provide that information to a judge who gives us a warrant to go on and just make sure the animals are OK.”
The agency’s Marcie Moriarty has a strong message for the woman at the centre of this latest investigation. “This is not a rescue [operation]. And in fact, there is a 49-page decision by the BC Farm Industry Farm Review Board that upholds our actions. This woman is not able to recognize when animals need care. She’s not providing that care and as a result, animals continue to suffer and it’s really tragic.”
The animals seized are now being cared for at the Vancouver Animal Shelter. “[The owners] are still in legal limbo. She will have the opportunity to appeal, like she did the last time. And again, we feel that this is circle that keeps repeating itself and we want to stop that for the animals sake.”
In September 2016, the SPCA executed a search warrant at that same home and removed 45 dogs, 18 cats, 24 farm animals and a turtle, many of which were suffering from emaciation, malnourishment, severe dental disease and other medical issues.
Appeal documents from the BC Farm Industry Review Board describe the case against Sandra Simans and the facility, which Simans operated mostly by herself. The person whose complaint prompted the investigation claimed that Simans had rescued too many animals, and did not have the time or resources to care for them.
