Dozens of neglected dogs surrendered to BC SPCA

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The BC SPCA has taken custody of 45 dogs it says were very neglected at a home just outside Victoria.

Marcie Moriarty with the organization says someone called them about a week ago to report concern about the animals.

“We immediately had our constables attend. After viewing the dogs and a discussion with the animal owner, we were able to negotiate the surrender of these 45 very neglected Havanese and Havanese-cross dogs from this individual, who lives outside of Victoria,” she tells us.

The animals were removed from the home on Friday. Moriarty adds the owner was cooperative.

“The dogs were in extremely poor condition, in the sense that their matting was at the very extreme end of bad — covered in feces and urine — and they were living in unacceptable conditions inside this individual’s home,” she describes.

There were apparently high levels of ammonia inside the home.

Moriarty says the owner was a former breeder who had stopped selling dogs about five years ago. “[She] has gotten overwhelmed with the number of dogs in her care and absolutely did not even come close to meeting their needs.”

She points to this case as an example of why she believes new breeder regulations are necessary in BC.

“Whether it involves a puppy mill where a breeder is putting profits before the welfare of the animals or a situation where an individual becomes overwhelmed with the number of animals in their care, we need to have standards for breeders and a way for members of the public to identify legitimate breeders from those who are not providing good care and welfare for their animals.”

The dogs, which range in age from 18 months to 15 years, are being cared for and assessed by BC SPCA staff and volunteers.

“They are not up for adoption yet, but we will eventually be looking to find forever homes for them,” says Moriarty.

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