In what the BC SPCA is calling one of the largest puppy mill cases it has ever investigated, 66 sick and neglected dogs have been seized from a Langley breeder.
At a Tuesday morning (Feb. 9) press conference in Vancouver, the agency confirmed it removed the 32 adult dogs and 34 puppies on Feb. 4, including Old English sheepdogs, Bernese mountain dogs, soft-coated Wheaten terriers, poodles and Portuguese water dogs.
An SPCA statement said the dogs had serious "medical and psychological issues" including broken bones, missing ears and eyes, infections and abscesses, dental disease, severe matting and overgrown nails.
The starving dogs were living in small, stacked crates and cages, in dark, unheated buildings.
“It is inconceivable to think that anyone allowed these innocent animals to suffer like this,” said Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer for the BC SPCA.
“We have to make it clear to unscrupulous breeders who sacrifice animals on the altar of profit that this type of neglect and cruelty is not acceptable to British Columbians.”
Moriarty said the SPCA will be recommending criminal charges.
The dogs and puppies are being held at the SPCA shelter in Vancouver and undergoing veterinary care and treatment.
They are not currently available for adoption.
The Vancouver shelter is requesting donations of blankets, towels and dog beds to help keep the dogs and puppies warm and comfortable.
Items can be dropped off at the Vancouver SPCA shelter at 1205 East 7 Ave.
Moriarty said that the raid on the breeder was the result of a tip from a member of the public.
She urged people to call the BC SPCA animal cruelty hotline at 1-855-622-7722 to report "any suspicious situations where animals may be in distress.”
The non-profit BC SPCA investigates more than 10,000 complaints of animal cruelty across B.C. each year.