‘STAFF FLIPPED OUT’
West Vancouver couple disagree that Echo was ‘dangerous’ following nipping incident
A ‘nipping’ a few minutes after they signed the adoption papers at the West Van SPCA on Sept. 20 changed everything. Echo the collie was euthanized five days later
A West Vancouver couple knew the collie they hoped to adopt had a “nipping” problem, but they were confident 10-month-old Echo could be trained.
But an ill-timed nipping incident, a few minutes after they signed the dog’s adoption papers at the West Vancouver B.C. SPCA on Sept. 20, changed everything.
Echo was euthanized five days later.
Now, Frank Azizi and Jennifer Kernaghan Azizi are questioning the B.C. SPCA’s decisions to euthanize animals in its care.
The B.C. SPCA maintains the dog was put down to protect staff and public safety and that before the adoption he had bitten staff four times. Echo had a history of aggression and biting and wore a muzzle in a previous home.
Jennifer Azizi said she spotted Echo on the B.C. SPCA’s adoption website several weeks ago. He was in Dawson Creek after being surrendered by his owner’s family.
When he was moved to West Vancouver in mid-September, it seemed like fate.
A previous collie owner, Azizi said she was deemed a “compatible match” by the West Vancouver branch, and began visiting Echo.
On Sept. 20, she took her husband to meet the dog.
A video taken that day shows the playful dog chasing after a ball and running in happy circles.
“He was untrained and bouncy,” she admitted, “but we decided to adopt him.”
The couple went inside the shelter to finalize the adoption. Inside, it was very busy. Another dog was barking incessantly.
There were several people and animals around, including two dogs, gerbils and mice, as well as dog food and treats.
Azizi’s husband was bouncing a ball, and Echo was in the mood to play.
“He was getting too revved up. We should have noticed that,” she said.
When Azizi’s husband picked up a bag of dog food, Echo jumped up and nipped his arm. Then, the dog nipped him in the back of the calf, ripping his jeans, but not the skin.
“Staff flipped out,” said Azizi.
After an assessment, it was determined the dog had to be euthanized. Azizi said she found a reputable collie rescue that would take him instead.
But when she called for an update on Echo’s case, she was told he’d been put down. “I couldn’t believe it.”
In a letter to the B.C. SPCA board and CEO, Azizi wrote “we saw value in Echo’s life that we sought to prolong, and the B.C. SPCA saw liability ... We disagree that Echo was beyond training, was dangerous, or suffering and are seeking redress on behalf of Echo and all future animals who need extra care.”
According to B.C. SPCA regional manager Sarah Jones, the organization had a moral obligation to protect staff and the public from Echo, whose dangerous behaviour was quickly escalating.
She said animal behaviour expert Dr. Rebecca Ledger was brought in to assess Echo, and she supported the decision to euthanize the dog.
“There were no rehabilitation options that would have been safe for the handler,” said Jones, adding safety was also the reason Echo was not approved for the collie rescue.
“We would have done that rehab ourselves if we thought that it was safe to do so.”
B.C. SPCA staff, who spent many hours with Echo working to understand his triggers, were saddened by the incident.
“This was very upsetting for staff,” said Jones.
“The decision to euthanize a dog is really quite rare, and we put all of our resources into making this decision.”