66 DOGS SEIZED FROM LANGLEY ‘PUPPY-MILL’ BREEDER
B.C. SPCA: Team discovered Langley breeder kept animals in ‘deplorable conditions’
The B.C. SPCA has rescued dozens of sick and neglected dogs from a Langley property in one of its “largest puppy mill seizures in B.C. history.”
A rescue team visited the breeder, whose name or location hasn’t been released, armed with a warrant and searched the premises on Thursday.
While the team had a vague idea of what to expect, “what confronted them was tragic,” B.C. SPCA chief prevention and enforcement officer Marcie Moriarty told a news conference on Tuesday.
“The dogs and puppies were kept in deplorable conditions with multiple dogs living in small, stacked crates and cages,” she said, adding that the crates were covered with so much feces and urine that ammonia levels were dangerously high.
“It’s inconceivable to think that anyone would allow these innocent animals to suffer like this.”
A total of 66 dogs — 32 adults and 34 puppies — were seized, including Old English sheepdogs, Bernese mountain dogs, standard and miniature poodles, soft-coated wheaten terriers and Portuguese water dogs.
Shelter and veterinary staff have been tending to the animals at the Vancouver Animal Hospital on East 7th Avenue over the long weekend.
Officials said many of the dogs are struggling with serious psychological and medical issues, including broken limbs, missing ears and eyes, infections and abscesses, internal parasites like ringworm, malnourishment, dental disease, severe matting, overgrown nails and many are fearful due to a lack of socialization.
Moriarty described it as a “very sophisticated, family-run operation” with ties to another substandard breeder in Washington state, which she believes has also been shut down.
By definition, the operation is labelled a puppy mill, she said, which means the emphasis is put on profit instead of animal welfare, there’s substandard living conditions and dogs are bred repetitively with no regard for their health.
“Without a doubt this definition applied in this case,” said Moriarty.
The B.C. SPCA has received complaints regarding this operation dating as far back as 2009, but there was never enough information to take legal action.
Officers have previously visited the premises, but they either moved the puppies or refused entry.
Thursday’s search warrant was the result of a recent complaint from a woman who visited the property intending to buy a puppy, but she was so concerned by the conditions she instead contacted the B.C. SPCA.
“This person’s actions ... helped save these dogs from deplorable conditions,” said Moriarty.
The B.C. SPCA is recommending animal cruelty charges against at least two people from the operation. If convicted they could face up to five years in jail, a $75,000 fine and a lifetime ban on owning animals.
The agency is using this as an opportunity to warn the public to watch out for “unscrupulous breeders.”
Common signs include agreeing to sell an animal without meeting you, being reluctant to show their facility and instead meet at another location and not allowing you to see the animal beforehand. For more information visit spca.bc.ca and if you suspect a breeder to be disreputable call the animal cruelty hotline at 1-855-622-7722.