SPCA seizes dogs exposed to freezing weather, poor conditions

Nine dogs, including six puppies, were seized from a property in the North Okanagan by the BC SPCA for being mistreated.

The dogs included two adult Golden retrievers, six puppies and a pregnant Australian Shepherd.

One of six Golden retriever puppies seized from North Okanagan property on Dec. 21. (Photo credit: BC SPCA)

The SPCA said the animals, which were seized Dec. 21 from an undisclosed site, were being kept in substandard conditions and exposed to freezing temperatures.

“When our animal protection officers arrived in response to a complaint, they found dogs and puppies in a basement without heat or insulation,” Eileen Drever, senior officer, protection and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA, said.

“The puppies were shivering and huddled for warmth, they had no bedding except for a bit of dirty hay and there was a build-up feces and puddles of urine throughout the enclosure. There was a small amount of dog food on the floor, but the only accessible water was dirty and in an unclean bowl.”

Drever said the puppies were also exposed to numerous injurious objects in the enclosure, including sharp edges of the plywood and makeshift fencing used to separate the areas.

In another area of the basement, blocked off by plywood, SPCA constables found the Australian shepherd tethered by a chain to a wall and two more Golden retriever puppies, who were also shivering in the freezing temperature.

Outdoors, there was a shelter where dogs were being kept. Upon inspection of the shelter, it was observed that there was no bedding or insulation, and no cover from -24 Celcius wind-chill factor.

“Again, there was a light sprinkling of alfalfa straw on the ground, but not enough to provide any bedding or insulation from the elements,” Drever remarked. “Inside the shelter, multiple piles of feces were observed and there was no food or water accessible.”

The nine dogs and puppies were taken to a veterinarian for examination and are now in SPCA care. They are not available for adoption at this time.

The current location of the dogs is not being provided in order to ensure their safety.