Charges pending in Mission-area cruelty investigation of emaciated lab-cross and puppies

July 6, 2011. For immediate release.

The BC SPCA is recommending charges be laid under the PCA Act and criminal code in a cruelty case involving a badly emaciated female lab-cross and her puppies.

The animals came into the BC SPCA’s care over the weekend when a badly emaciated female dog wearing a heavy chain around her neck caught the attention of a group of concerned campers at a Lake Errock campground on Saturday. One of the campers called the Maple Ridge BC SPCA and a constable met with the group and retrieved the animal. The campers had removed the thirteen-pound chain from the frail dog’s neck, which was missing a significant amount of hair where the chain had rubbed the skin. “Ruby” was also suffering from open sores, numerous parasites. During transport Ruby excreted shreds of fabric she had eaten earlier to stave off her hunger.

Further investigation revealed Ruby belonged to a couple at a nearby residence and that she had recently given birth to a litter of seven six-week-old pups. Four of the pups, also emaciated and infested with parasites and fleas, were located back at the campground. The constable gathered up the puppies, whom some campers had taken, advising them that the pups needed immediate medical attention and were too young to be separated from their mother. The other three puppies had been given away to passersby in the vicinity of the campground.

The mother and pups are currently in the care of the Abbotsford shelter, where they are receiving medical attention.

Photo caption: Ruby and her puppies are recuperating at the BC SPCA Abbotsford Branch.

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For more information:

Marcie Moriarty, general manager, cruelty investigations, BC SPCA, 604-258-8642 (cell), 604-647-1318 (office).

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.