Nine dogs and two cats were rescued in the Kootenays after the animals were found to be living in hazardous conditions.

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) received a report from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) about an individual squatting on Crown land in the region, and who was in possession of animals possibly in distress.

The BC SPCA animal protection officers, with the assistance of RCMP officers, attended the site, where the animals were discovered to be living near piles of rotting flesh from deer and elk and without adequate shelter. Each was tied to a nearby tree with limited food and only dirty water available to them. Many of the tethers were tangled together.

“It is truly infuriating to see the complete disregard for animal welfare from this individual,” says Eileen Drever, senior officer, protection and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA. “If someone is truly struggling to care for their pets, we have supports and programs in place that can benefit both the animal and the guardian. But this situation is very different. This is willfully choosing, again and again, to let animals suffer without any care at all for their wellbeing.”

Further investigation by the two agencies revealed the individual has been charged with animal cruelty numerous times previously and has been banned for life from owning animals in other provinces.

The dogs and cats were immediately taken to a veterinarian. Many of the rescued were showing health concerns, including ear and urinary tract infections, and matted coats. The animals were observed to be “under socialized and fearful.”

“Our resources are already stretched very thin right now with a remarkable number of animals looking for families to love and provide for them,” says Drever. “It really puts a strain on the society when we are also dealing with repeat offenders like this who are consistently putting animals at risk. We will be recommending charges against this individual.”

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