SPCA seizes dogs from local kennel

[Athebeau]

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is working with local Veterinary clinics and kennels to clean up and treat 65 dogs seized from a St Stephen kennel.

The English Sheepdogs and English Springer Spaniels were seized from Wendy Weeks Saltbox Kennel on Friday morning by the SPCA after they obtained enough information for a warrant.

One springer puppy died in transit.

Right now we have all the dogs being accessed by Vets said Paul Melanson, chief inspector for the New Brunswick SPCA.

The agency had been monitoring the situation at the kennel for more than a year after it received three formal complaints about conditions at the Charlotte County Kennel.

A reporter for the Telegraph-Journal toured the kennel and Ms Week's home in March 2005 and observed dogs that reeked from the smell of meatted feces and urine. The driveway was filled with trampled urine and feces. Inside the home there was an overpowering stench with piles of feces in the middle of the living room. The reporter wasn't allowed into areas of the home dedicated to raising the dogs and was asked to leave after inquiring about the health of some of the dogs.

Some Customers who purchased dogs from Ms. Weeks in the past year ended up with ill animals who generated thousands of dollars in medical expenses.

Despite the formal complaints, the SPCA was unable to obtain a warrant to seize the dogs last spring because they lacked a firsthand account of conditions inside the home.

That changed last week and the SPCA was able to present enough evidence for a judge to grant a warrant, said Mr. Melanson.

Two vans, a truck, a sport utility vehicle and a horse trailer were used to move the dogs. The RCMP assisted the SPCA and Ms. Weeks co-operated during the seizure, he said.

Ms. Weeks was once a reputable breeder of English Sheepdogs and English Springer Spaniels.

A spokesman for the Weeks family declined to comment on the seizure on Monday.

Mr Melanson couldn't comment in detail on the condition of the animals or the home they were kept in because the matter is still under investigation. He said the animals were not kept in a manner required by the province.

"The dogs had to be taken out of there, they couldn't be left there any longer" he said.
"She started out with good intentions but things got out of hand annd she just couldn't cope with them"

It took planning and co-ordination to deal with the seizure, which is one of the largest ones the agency has done recently, he said.

The investigation into the dogs treatment and living conditions should be completed within a month, with the possibility of charges being laid and the animals being surrendered for adoption.

Twenty of the dogs are being kept at the Fairvale Animal Hospital in Rothesay. Others are being kept in Saint John and the rest are in Fredericton.

The SPCA has put out an appeal for volunteers to help clean, groom, walk and socialize with the dogs.

Donna Toews, president of the English Springer Rescue Association of Canada, said she became aware of Ms. Weeks kennel last spring. She travelled from British Columbia on behalf of the association and worked with Ms. Week's family to adopt 7 of the English Springer spaniels.

She said the organization is now working with the New Brunswick SPCA through a Nova Scotia representative and had offered its assistance should the dogs be surrendered for adoption.

"If I could afford it I would be out there again" she said.

Very sad Especially since this breeder was once a highly respected member of the CKC and a mentor to many many breeders. She was highly active in the show world. Boxer*Mom said it correctly in another post I did on this subject, this is a horrible case of animal hoarding.

I personally have been in contact with 20 of these dogs/puppies. There is one old girl that seems to be unhealthy. The others are very quiet and sweet. One 3 month old puppy has welts and bite marks all over her little face. The breeder left her in with older dogs she was trampled bitten etc. My Sister is going to bring her over to her grooming shop to play and socialize during the day (once she has been vaccinated and deemed healthy enough to be around customer dogs). One groomer who works with my Sister is adopting one of the older females.

I would take one, but, with 5 dogs already it would be cruel to my own crew to adopt any more. I want my dogs to live a nice peaceful life without having to compete for attention. Animal hoarding is a mental illness, and I'm sure many dog lovers could be prone to this affliction.

There seems to be a huge interest for adoption for these dogs. I'm sure once they are deemed healthy they will find homes quickly.

 

[Athebeau]

Just to add, this is one of many cases where I feel sorry for SPCA officers. It's bad enough to know that animal cruelity is taking place right under your nose...but, to have to wait to receive a warrent from a judge and all the legal hassles that tied this case up for so long...very sad. These SPCA officers had been watching this kennel for quite some time...with the law holding them back they could do nothing but wait.
One of the many reasons I could never work in as an SPCA officer.

 

[Meggie]

This is just so sad all around. I really hope that she's never allowed to have dogs again, unfortunately, I doubt that. At the very least she needs some psychiatric help.

 

[chadanddenise]

Where did this happen? That stinks!

 

[Sheba]

That is so sad!

 

[Athebeau]

Quote by chadanddenise Where did this happen? That stinks!

It happened in New Brunswick.

Just an update, the breeder still has not surrendered the dogs. All dogs and puppies have Foster homes. A few of the puppies were in such bad shape they died, a few have fear issues of other dogs. One puppy has a broken jaw from being left out with the adult dogs and being trampled daily. One bitch is pregnant and is staying with a Vet tech, another bitch is nursing and staying with one of the SPCA officers.

All these dogs are sweet, good tempered adorable dogs. We bathed one yesterday that was going to a foster home...wonderful in the tub and just the nicest disposition.

This is a very sad situation. It makes you look at breeders or any person with too many dogs in a whole different manner. It's cruel and inhumane to have too many dogs, no one person can save or keep too many animals. It just turns out badly for all involved. There are many so called reputable breeders who show and have champion dogs that could be accused of the same sort of abuse. Abuse comes in all different forms.

I have heard of many big name kennels that have been watched by the SPCA...even some in the States I have heard through the grapevine that they are no better than puppymills...what makes them better than a puppy mill in the eyes of the public?? for some reason just showing a dog seems to put a breeder in the reputable breeder light. That is not always the case.

 

[chadanddenise]

This was really sad.

 

[Athebeau]

There was another reputable show person who lost her 6 Alaskan Malamutes due to neglect. The court ruled that she no longer is allowed to own a dog. Hopefull the same will happen to this breeder.

 

[SummerRiot]

OMG.. if the RCMP assisted in it.. its gotten to the Federal courts and such.. EEK! thats a BIG no no!

Poor dogs!

One of the many reasons I could never work in as an SPCA officer

lol this is why i'm getting into police, to try and help the community for the greater good. Those poor poor pups

 

[Athebeau]

Yes SummerRiot, it was a huge ordeal for all involved and it's really gotten a lot of publicity. I'm glad your going into law inforcement, the only reason I say I would never want to be an SPCA officer is when you get a case such as this and your hands are tied due to getting caught up in the legal system...trying to get court orders to see the inside of the home etc.

This breeder at one time had the top Old English Sheepdogs in North America. She was one of the best breeders with temperment and health first in foremost. Where some breeders go wrong, I'll never know. In this case it was a case of not wanting to let any dogs/pups go...always looking for that next champion. She was in no way in the same bracket as a puppy mill breeding only for the intentions of making money...she just got caught up in hoarding the dogs and not wanting to let them go.

 

[SummerRiot]

Poor lady... she probably should have thought about co-ownership lol