Langley property subject of another SPCA animal seizure
A Langley rescue society that was the subject of one of the largest seizures in the history of the B.C. SPCA is once again in hot water.
On Monday, the B.C. SPCA seized 17 animals from a property in the 5500-block of 216th Street, including 12 dogs — a Rhodesian ridgeback, a Greyhound and 10 37-dayold puppies — along with four cats and a rabbit.
“It’s an individual we’ve dealt with before,” said SPCA spokeswoman Lorie Chortyk, confirming the SPCA executed a warrant on a property in Langley Monday afternoon, but did not identify the individual or organization.
“We were concerned about some animals potentially in distress on the property.”
Chortyk said the Rhodesian ridgeback is suffering from mastitis, an infection of the mammary glands, while the Greyhound has skin problems and the rabbit may have a broken leg. The animals were examined by a veterinarian Monday and will be transferred to the Vancouver shelter Tuesday.
Sandra Simans, operator of 1atatime Rescue Society, denied the animals were in distress and suggested the SPCA has a vendetta against her rescue organization.
She said the SPCA was at her property three weeks ago to examine the animals in her care. After one of the SPCA officials expressed concern about the “skinny” Greyhound, Simans said she took the animal to the vet, who gave it a clean bill of health.
She also denied the Rhodesian ridgeback had mastitis, and stated the rabbit’s dislocated hip was an old injury.
“This has become something very ugly,” said Simans, 60, of her relationship with the SPCA. “I"m ashamed and embarrassed to say it, but this has become a little war. I think it’s out of control. It’s not right.”
Last September, the SPCA seized 88 animals — including 45 dogs, 18 cats, 24 farm animals and one turtle — as well as the decomposing bodies of two dogs and the frozen body of a rabbit from Simans’ organization. The seizure was described as one of the largest in SPCA history.
Simans appealed for the return of the animals, but the Farm Industry Review Board sided with the SPCA and ordered her to pay the SPCA $81,000 in vet bills and care costs.
She said she has filed a complaint against the B.C. SPCA and the Farm Industry Review Board under the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal for what she called an “unreasonable search and seizure” of her property in relation to the September seizure.
The B.C. SPCA had also seized 52 dogs, 19 cats, and a dead and frozen feline from Simans in June 2012.