The BC SPCA says some of the starving dogs seized from a breeder in Clearwater in January are now ready to be adopted.
The SPCA says a total of 13 dogs were seized from Kurtis Elliot with the BC SPCA alleging he was selling Cane Corso puppies for profit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two other emaciated adult dogs were surrendered to the organization the day before the seizure.
Eileen Drever, the BC SPCA’s Senior Officer of Protection and Stakeholder Relations says seven of the dogs seized were 10-week-old puppies while the other eight were under the age of three.
“The condition of these animals was just horrific,” Drever said, in a weekend statement. “It was one of the worst cases of starvation I have seen in my 42 years with the BC SPCA.”
“Not only had the dogs not been given enough food, some of the dogs were kept outside all day in sub-zero temperatures, with no shelter from the elements, no food and water bowls that were frozen over.”
The SPCA says while the puppies, who were in the best physical condition, were all adopted soon after, three of the adult dogs had to be euthanized owing to the severity of their injuries.
Daria Evans, the manager of the BC SPCA’s Kamloops branch, said the dogs they cared for were “cold, lethargic and uninterested in the world” when they came in to the facility by the airport.
“It took several weeks on a carefully monitored refeeding plan before they began to safely gain weight,” Evans said. “Not only were the dogs in horrible physical condition, they were also extremely fearful and unsocialized.”
Evans says while once fearful, the rest of the adult dogs are now are more socialized, and almost at their ideal weight.
“Bear, Sitka, Callie, and Onyx all love to play and want to be outside running around together as much as possible,” Evans added, noting a fifth adult dog – Koda – has already found its forever home.
The SPCA was recommending animal cruelty charges with prosecutors currently deciding whether or not charges will be laid.