46 neglected dogs seized

Photo: BC SPCA

One of the dogs seized from the rural property.

Forty-six dogs have been seized from a rural property north of Williams Lake.

The neglected dogs and puppies seized by the BC SPCA range in age and are American Eskimo, border collie, husky and Samoyed crosses.

“The dogs were seized because of lack of shelter, poor sanitation and inadequate veterinary care and are now in care in several SPCA shelters," said Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer for the BC SPCA."

“These dogs are terrified of human contact but we are doing everything we can to address their psychological distress through anti-anxiety medication and other treatments."

Moriarty says the BC SPCA will be recommending animal cruelty charges to Crown counsel in the case.

"At this initial stage, we’re focusing on reducing their emotional distress to the point where they can eat and drink and we will move forward step by step from there,” Moriarty said.

Dealing with serious psychological distress among dogs is a complex and long-term process, she added.

“This is a very intensive undertaking, but we are doing everything we can to do what is in the best interests of these dogs," Moriarty said. "The best-case scenario is that we can help these dogs adjust, through medication and rehabilitation, so that they can eventually be adopted."

"Even then they will likely need to go to very specialized homes where the adopters understand that the dogs may never want to be touched or have close interaction with their new guardians.”

The BC SPCA investigates nearly 10,000 complaints of animal cruelty and abuses each year in B.C.

To help with the care of these dogs and to join the fight against animal cruelty, please visit spca.bc.ca/support.