Puppies rescued by BC SPCA being treated for deadly disease
Posted October 1, 2020 10:12 pm.
Last Updated October 1, 2020 10:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A week after the BC SPCA rescued almost 100 animals from a breeder in Princeton, the agency says about a third of the animals have a potentially deadly virus, and the costs of trying to save lives are adding up.
The agency seized 97 animals from a breeder in Princeton, and now has discovered a lot of the animals are in even worse shape than they first suspected.
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A press release on the organization’s website says 33 of the puppies they took from the property have a canine illness called parvovirus, a highly contagious and deadly viral sickness.
“This is such a heart-breaking situation, particularly because parvo is a preventable disease. These puppies would not be suffering and fighting for their lives had they received proper vaccinations and medical treatment in their owner’s care,” says Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA’s chief prevention and enforcement officer.
Eight puppies have already died and 19 puppies are hospitalized, receiving treatment and round-the-clock care. Six have been stabilized.
The SPCA says the medical costs add up to thousands of dollars a day, and will likely exceed $100,000.
“These animals have been through so much and we want to give them every chance to survive and have a safe and wonderful life,” says Moriarty.
The Sept. 23 raid resulted in 46 puppies, 21 adult dogs, 27 horses and three cats being seized.
According to the agency, the animals were living in “an extremely poor environment, with lack of shelter, unsanitary living conditions, overcrowding, poor ventilation and were exposed to injurious objects.”
Several dog breeds were discovered including Labrador retrievers, Dalmatians, Corgis, Great Pyrenees, King Charles spaniels, Yorkies, Maltese, poodles and Australian cattle dogs.
