Charges expected after SPCA officers seize 13 emaciated dogs from breeder

Photo: BC SPCA

These three emaciated dogs were among more than a dozen seized earlier this month from a breeder in the North Thompson area, according to the BC SPCA.

Animal cruelty charges are expected to be recommended to prosecutors after more than a dozen emaciated dogs were seized from a breeder in the North Thompson, according to the BC SPCA.

A BC SPCA spokeswoman described the sickly dogs as “walking skeletons” and said investigators found evidence that some of them had eaten a blanket — “desperate for anything to eat to try to stay alive.”

Eileen Drever, BC SPCA’s senior protection officer, said Wednesday the Cane Corso dogs were being bred and sold for profit in the Clearwater area.

“Some of the dogs were kept outside all day in sub-zero temperatures, with no shelter from the elements, no food and water bowls frozen over,” she said.

“I don’t know how much longer they would have lasted.”

Drever said investigators seized seven 10-week-old puppies and six dogs under the age of three.

She said the seizure was carried out the day after two emaciated adult dogs were surrendered to the BC SPCA.

“Three of the dogs remain under intense veterinary care due to their emaciated state,” Drever said.

The BC SPCA is accepting donations to help care for the dogs.

Drever said the investigation is ongoing with charge recommendations expected at some point in the future.