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Seized dogs surrendered by owner

Mar 31, 2017 | 11:46 AM

LETHBRIDGE – More than 100 dogs seized from a home in west Lethbridge have been surrendered by their owner, paving the way for their adoption.

Roland Lines, communications manager for the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), said the final count ended up being 104, following the seizure from a Varsity Village home March 24. That number includes at least one litter of puppies born in the days that followed.

Lines said the SPCA is now looking at two different agencies to handle the adoption process.

“They need to get ready before they’re going to be able to handle media and public attention on these dogs,” he explained. “Certainly, the decision about where the dogs are going involved conversations with the organizations, to make sure that they have the capacity to handle the animals.”

Lines said their conditions vary, but at least two have needed surgery. Many need more care before they will be ready for adoption, and all must be spayed or neutered. But he said with small breeds, the prospects for adoption are good.

Twelve dogs were signed over to the Lethbridge Animal Shelter on Thursday, and will be available for viewing by the public in about two weeks, once they have completely adjusted to their new environment and have a clean bill of health.

The Shelter’s regular adoption process will be used once the dogs are available for adoption, which includes a suitability assessment, application form and socializing over a number of days, among other steps.  More information on adopting dogs or cats from the Lethbridge Animal Shelter can be found on their website.

No decision has yet been made on possible charges, Lines said.

“We’re waiting for the final veterinary report. Although the veterinarian finished her examination of the dogs, we don’t have the final report yet, and we really need that to take the investigation forward, and decide what direction we’re going to go,” he added.

He said it appears the dogs were of varying age and were accumulated over time. There was no indication of a commercial breeding operation, at least recently.

“It looks like they just had the dogs and were not controlling the breeding,” Lines said.