Ontario SPCA removes 35 dogs
Ontario SPCA
Friday, November 04, 2005
NEWMARKET, ON – Ontario SPCA investigators removed 35 dogs and puppies yesterday from a property in Lucknow, located near Ripley, Ontario in Bruce County.
Acting on a complaint from the public, investigators from the Ontario SPCA, accompanied by a veterinarian and two Ontario Provincial Police Officers from the South Bruce Detachment, executed a search warrant on the Lucknow property. The investigation of the property found 23 adult dogs, six puppies estimated to be about three to four months old, five nursing puppies, and one deceased dog for whom the cause of death is still to be determined. The dogs are of various breeds including poodles, Pekingese, Shar-peis, West Highland terriers, and Jack Russell terriers.
The veterinarian at the scene determined that the dogs and puppies were suffering from various medical issues such as dehydration, low body weight, dental disease, and suspected leg injuries on a couple of the dogs. The longer haired breeds had matted fur and some of the dogs had feces encrusted in their feet. Investigators could find only a half bag of dog food for the entire group of dogs and puppies and many of the dogs were without water. The veterinarian checked the two nursing mother dogs and could get only a drop of milk out of one of them.
Some of the dogs were kept in the main house while others were housed in a garden shed that was converted to a kennel. There were also a number of dogs roaming the yard. A dog that was found in the basement was without bedding, food or water.
The dog that was found dead at the scene will be sent for an autopsy. The other 34 dogs and puppies are currently at the Ontario SPCA York Region Branch where they are receiving care and any necessary medical attention. Medical tests are being conducted to determine if they are suffering from internal parasites.
The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.
For media enquiries, please contact: Christine Arnett, Director of Marketing and Communications at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 305, carnett@ospca.on.ca or Chief Inspector Mike Draper, ext. 317, e-mail: mdraper@ospca.on.ca.
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