Chihuahuas, French bulldogs, Cane Corsos and over a dozen parrots and lovebirds were taken in from filthy conditions on the property
Criminal charges are being considered after the B.C. SPCA seized nearly five dozen dogs and over a dozen birds from an “irresponsible breeder” in Quesnel.
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Animal protection officers rescued 12 chihuahuas, four French bulldogs and 43 Cane Corsos along with 14 exotic birds after getting reports of untreated illness and several injured dogs on a property. Many of the dogs are puppies, with 18 of the Cane Corsos having been born in the past month.
“When officers arrived at the home, they were hit with an overwhelming ammonia odour which burned their noses,” said Eileen Drever of the B.C. SPCA. “The ground was littered with garbage and urine, old feces was stuck to the floor. Dogs had access to injurious objects as well as medications.
“In the main area of the home, there were large portions of drywall that had been chewed through around an electrical socket.”
Nearly all the animals were in “devastating” condition, said Drever. Many of the dogs, including the nursing moms, were extremely thin with their ribs clearly visible, spines and hip bones prominent.
“The dogs are extremely fearful and under-socialized,” said Drever. “Some of the puppies were observed shivering in the yard and hiding behind a ripped-up couch among pieces of foam from other furniture, feces, urine and dirty straw. One of the dogs would only approach our officer for food and then would run away cowering in fear.”
One litter of puppies, still only days old, had castration bands meant for docking on their tails. A veterinarian confirmed they were in severe pain with spinal cord and nerve exposure and infection. They will need to have their tails surgically removed to relieve their distress.
Drever said tail docking and ear cropping for cosmetic purposes has been banned by the College of Veterinarians of B.C. since 2016 because they cause unnecessary pain and suffering.
An aviary with several parrots and lovebirds housed in dirty cages filled with bird feces was also found on the property. “Several birds were loose in the home with the dogs. Two of the birds, one Macaw and an African Grey, were missing a large number of feathers indicating either illness or emotional stress,” said Drever in a news release.
“It’s just horrible to think about how long these animals have suffered, without love and proper care. They were all used and abused to make money.”
“As this is an continuing investigation, these dogs are not available for adoption at this time,” said Drever, who said the B.C. SPCA will recommend charges to Crown counsel.
