Pay $2,000 vet bill or lose dog, man told
Tenant caught up in landlord’s case
A man caught in last month’s joint police-humane society operation linked to animal-neglect allegations against his landlord fears he will lose his beloved pet if he’s unable to come up with nearly $2,000 to cover a vet bill by Friday.
That’s the deadline Michael Murphy was given by the Calgary Humane Society on Monday to reclaim his dog, Tilly.
Murphy, who had only recently rented a room in a home on Fritz Brokop’s rural southwest Calgary farm, found himself caught in the Jan. 24 raid on the property.
“I’d moved in just prior to Christmas,” he said. “It was a great opportunity for me to move out to an acreage and have my dog live with me out of the city.”
Murphy had just stepped out of bed and was brewing his morning coffee when he noticed the Calgary police tactical unit roll up outside his home. He was taken into custody and later released by police, but was forced to leave behind Tilly, his four-legged friend for the past 11 years.
When he was finally allowed to return to the property the next evening, Murphy discovered Tilly had been seized by the CHS.
As the seizure was part of the investigation against Brokop, Murphy was given no timeline to get his dog back.
“I was led to believe I wasn’t a suspect in any sort of neglect or abuse,” he said, explaining more information was promised at an impending interview with investigators, which took place Monday.
There, Murphy was told he was free to collect his dog upon settling his bill with the Calgary Humane Society — amounting to $1,923.81.
The bill, a copy of which was provided to Postmedia, includes an $89.50 intake exam, a $210 visit to a local vet, $915 in dental work and $56 each for two return checkups, plus $420 in boarding fees.
“I was unaware of any pressing medical needs affecting her happiness and safety,” he said.
Murphy said officers told him during Monday’s interview that nobody was calling him a bad dog owner, but he was still on the hook for the fees.
He’s wondering, then, if he’s to infer they didn’t consider Tilly to be neglected, why he wasn’t given options or instructions to follow up on treatment with his own veterinarian.
He said he was shocked “to be told on Monday afternoon that I had until Friday to come up with $2,000 or I don’t get my dog back.
“Upon asking for some sort of payment terms or a break, it was strictly shot down — it wasn’t an option.”
Murphy described his dog as doted on and well-cared-for, and is heartbroken that financial constraints could result in him losing Tilly forever.
“She’s a sweet, loving hound — just a joy to have around,” he said. “The quintessential family dog, loving, gentle, caring and obedient.”
In a statement provided to Postmedia, the Calgary Humane Society said distress-related animal seizures are provided medical care as deemed necessary by a vet and under the authorization of a peace officer. Failure to pay would result in the animal becoming CHS property, and subject to placement in a new home. The humane society also said the investigation into animal abuse is ongoing.