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Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters
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Seizing dogs from Acadia house unjustified, owner's friend says May 20, 2014 CBC News A dog breeder says the Calgary Humane Society went too far when its officials seized dozens of dogs from a home in Acadia last week. Zip, a saluki owned by Lynn Knapp, was in Beverly Creed's Calgary house when humane society officials seized dozens of dogs they believed to be suffering neglect last week. Investigators say the animals had been left in unsanitary, cramped conditions and that charges under the Animal Protection Act will likely be laid against dog breeder Beverly Creed, the owner of the home. But Lynn Knapp, a friend of Creed and fellow breeder who owns one of the dogs seized from the southeast Calgary home, says officials overreacted. "There was absolutely no need to bust into that house and make this into a circus,” she said. “Bev had been there that morning. They could've waited and got a hold of Bev." Knapp breeds dogs at her home in Wilbur, Wash., and sometimes sends them to other breeders, including Creed, for training, she said. In last week’s incident, one of them — a saluki named Zip — was seized, along with two miniature pinschers she co-owns with Creed. According to Knapp, Creed has been going through a difficult time, but the dogs weren't suffering, she said. "Oftentimes when people have depression issues, they turn to the one thing that makes them happy. In Bev's case it was dogs,” she said. But Calgary Humane Society spokesperson Christy Thompson said the dogs were seized with good reason. She declined to give details, but said they were in poor medical condition. Knapp says she is now trying to get her dog back. But all the dogs are under observation for a 10-day period as part of its investigation, according to the society. "Our priority right now is the ongoing investigation, as well as the animals' health. And when we do come to a point where we're able to look at the ownership part of this investigation, each dog will be looked at individually,” Thompson said. So far no charges have been laid. Comment: Oftentimes, individuals in similar circumstances, with similar issues, whether they are breeders or not, keep their animals in deplorable conditions, and support each other. Whether they simply don’t want to acknowledge it, don’t realize they have mental health issues, or are motivated solely by greed, the bottom line is that whether it’s a dog, rabbit, or any other animal, it is they who suffer. Officers found many of the dogs in crates stacked to the ceiling and covered in urine and feces. Vents in the home were clogged with animal hair and the furniture had been torn up. The home was deemed unfit for human habitation. Calgary Humane Society says seized dogs in desperate need of care May 14, 2014 Global News The Calgary Humane Society says a total of 33 dogs were recovered from a home in southeast Calgary on Tuesday afternoon and are now being cared for at its facility in the city’s southeast. All of the animals have received vaccinations and health checks but still have to undergo an extensive medical examination by veterinarians. “The dogs which were seized are in poor medical condition,” says CHS veterinarian Tammy Mazubert. “Neglect is very clear in this situation. We will continue to provide the care these animals so desperately need.” The dogs were discovered living in deplorable conditions in a home on Addison Drive S.E. after a concerned neighbor called police. “We looked in the window and the dogs were all in distress,” says Joanne Leussink, who lives two doors away and was the first person to enter the home. “There was no water, no food; the whole place is just ripped apart.” Officers found many of the dogs in crates stacked to the ceiling and covered in urine and feces. Vents in the home were clogged with animal hair and the furniture had been torn up. The dogs vary in size and breed. It’s believed they belong to well-know Calgary dog breeder Bev Creed. Neighbours still can’t believe they didn’t realize sooner what was going on in the home. “This is really sad that a neighbor and a person you know, and that’;s how she looks after her animals,” Leussink told Global News. “That’s terrible, just awful.” The home has been deemed unfit for human habitation. An investigation is continuing and charges could be pending under the Animal Protection Act. The owner could face up to $20,000 in fines, as well as a lifetime ban on owning animals. Humane Canada: Take a stand against puppy mills (and all animal mills) Visit our Pet Shops/Rabbits/Legislation page |