SPCA seizes 46 dogs and puppies from BC property

The BC SPCA has seized 46 dogs and puppies from a rural property in B.C. after finding them neglected and highly unsocialized.

The dogs were taken from a property north of Williams Lake and included American eskimos, border collies, husky, and samoyed crosses.

Marice Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer for the BC SPCA, says the dogs are highly unsocialized and fearful.

“The dogs were seized because of lack of shelter, poor sanitation, and inadequate veterinary care, and are now in care in several SPCA shelters,” she said.

She said that the dogs are terrified of human contact, and they are working on trying to reduce their emotional distress. The SPCA veterinary and behavioural staff are overseeing the assessment and triage of the dogs and are developing treatment and behaviour modification plans.

“This is a very intensive undertaking, but we are doing everything we can to do what is in the best interests of these dogs,” she said.

“The best-case scenario is that we can help these dogs adjust, through medication and rehabilitation, so that they can eventually be adopted. But even then they will likely need to go to very specialized homes where the adopters understand that the dogs may never want to be touched or have close interaction with their new guardians," said Moriarty.

The BC SPCA will be recommending animal cruelty charges to Crown counsel in the case.