Regional District Dog Control has a reputation for being heavy handed and aggressive.
They pick on women with little dogs who just want to walk them on the grass in their neighbourhood park. Citizens and their dogs are targeted and stalked by power-hungry people in uniforms and have to sneak around after dark to walk in a park.
I was chased down once with my little dachshund when I had stopped to talk to another gal with her two little dogs. I grabbed mine and ran, but she wasn't so lucky. Is it any wonder they need to have a "communication officer" on salary now?
The dog control department was recently investigated, and the consultant's report recommended areas of improvement, from generating more positive relations with the community and having an arrangement with the SPCA for impounded dogs to get a chance for a new home rather than being killed after the allotted three days.
I urge the regional district to deal with the big problems rather than just picking on people.
When I saw Diesel being assessed for aggressive behaviour, I called dog control to say that he didn't look like a dangerous dog. The receptionist said, "his owner is difficult."
Diesel is "property," he has no rights and has been on death row in a cement cell at the pound for almost two years with half an hour per week for socializing. That's animal cruelty.
The family of Shadow also had to go through this costly and lengthy battle with dog control.
Last August, a filthy breeding operation was exposed in Glenmore. The district said regulations have been broken, no business licence, sheds not up to code, high number of dogs, fire regulations broken, etc.
Staff have been out there so many times it's a joke but not for the 25-30 adult dogs and at least 20 more puppies every two-three months. Puppies taken from there to the veterinarian for medical treatment were reported to be half their normal weight, full of worms, some with injuries, they were scared and smelly and dirty from living in a dark shed.
It's even harder to think of these dogs in the frigid winter temperatures.
What is the SPCA doing? They have been aware of this place for years and have taken numerous puppies to their shelter. But, to my knowledge they haven't bothered with any adult dogs even though it's their mandate to be concerned about the welfare of animals.
Many complaints have been registered with the SPCA about the conditions these dogs endure. The SPCA says they don't see anything wrong.
Volunteer rescue groups have been successful in removing dogs from puppy mills and finding them forever homes, but that doesn't solve the problem.
I have read reports that the SPCA knew about the Whistler sled dogs and how the owner was over his head with caring for the 100 dogs. The SPCA failed to provide asked-for help, but they did hold a televised funeral for them in Penticton last year.
I urge the SPCA to raise the bar and truly speak and act for all animals.
Connie Mahoney,
Kelowna