BC SPCA animal protection officers have seized 31 adult German shepherds and 12 puppies from an irresponsible breeder who was housing them on a property southeast of Prince George.
“The conditions these dogs were living in were horrible,” says Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA’s Chief protection and outreach services. “The plywood floors in their outdoor kennels were soaked with urine and there were piles of feces. The stench was overwhelming.”
Moriarty adds the dogs were exhibiting signs of distress, from circling and weaving inside their kennels to bashing their muzzles into the walls. “When our animal protection officers entered their kennels, the dogs were so paralyzed with fear that some just cowered in the back corner, staring into the wall. It was heartbreaking.”
As the animal protection officers began to lift the dogs into crates to transport them to the BC SPCA’s North Cariboo animal centre in Prince George, they began to realize just how underweight the dogs were. “Their body condition scores range from a three to as low as a one out of nine,” she says. “An ideal score would be 5.” Water was visible in each kennel but there was no signs of food.
The 12 puppies range in age from approximately one week to nine months old. The youngest puppies were found with their mother in a dark basement in the house in a plastic pool with only paper towels for bedding. Another mother and her pups were being housed in a confined space with ammonia levels so high it was physically uncomfortable for the animal protection officers.
The dogs are currently being assessed at the BC SPCA’s North Cariboo animal centre. Most of the older dogs are suffering from stiff, arthritic joints, damaged teeth and some have painful stomach issues or visible wounds.
As this is an ongoing investigation, it is not known when these dogs will be available for adoption.