The BC SPCA says it has seized 31 dogs, including dachshunds, poodles, Mini Schnauzers and various poodle-mix breeds, from a Clearwater property as part of an animal cruelty investigation.

The SPCA says the dogs were owned by what they called “an irresponsible breeder who was keeping them in a dark building without adequate heating or bedding for the dogs.”

“It was very unsanitary with an overwhelming ammonia smell,” SPCA senior officer for protection and stakeholder relations, Eileen Drever, said. “The owners were not providing them with the necessary veterinary care, enrichment or socialization they desperately needed.”

Drever says one of the dachshunds had to be euthanized because it had a large metastasized abdominal tumour that was dragging on the ground. She also said BC SPCA staff have noticed some repetitive behaviour in the dogs like pacing back and forth in their kennels. That she says, is a sign of a lack of mental stimulation.

“This is an incredibly sad situation all around,” Drever added. “These dogs were treated as commodities and are not only dealing with physical health issues, but are suffering psychologically.”

“The dogs are extremely fearful. Many couldn’t be touched at all and the dogs cowered in fear when the owner came near.”

Drever says the incident is a good reminder for people to do their homework before buying a dog from a breeder.

“This breeder was meeting with potential buyers in parking lots, which is a red flag that the animals are not being adequately cared for,” says Drever. “If they won’t let you visit the dogs where they are being housed, don’t purchase a dog from them.”

At this time, it is not clear when the dogs will be up for adoption as the SPCA says they “require extensive rehabilitation efforts.”

Drever also says the BC SPCA will be recommending charges.

This latest incident comes a little over a year after the BC SPCA seized 15 starving dogs from a breeder in the Clearwater-area, in what they called “one of the worst cases of animal neglect in recent history.”

It says while some of those dogs were “extremely emaciated” and kept in “horrific” conditions, some of those dogs have since been adopted.

The BC SPCA has taken 31 dogs into care including Dachshunds, Poodles, Mini Schnauzers and Poodle-mix breeds of varying ages. Read this shocking story at https://t.co/AHXXTTw93m.

— BC SPCA / BCSPCA (@BC_SPCA) February 20, 2024