April Irvine / Huskies - Saskatchewan, Canada

July 16, 2010 - Cost of seized huskies tops $60,000, SPCA says

The Saskatoon SPCA says the cost of looking after 82 dogs recently seized from a breeder has surpassed $60,000.

To date this seizure has cost the Saskatoon SPCA over $25,000 and that number is growing every day, while it has cost the Saskatchewan SPCA over $38,000," Tricia McAuley, a spokeswoman for the Saskatoon SPCA, said.

Most of the Saskatoon SPCA costs were linked to sheltering the animals and providing them with food and medical treatment.

McAuley said many of the dogs have been adopted. While she did not have an exact number, she estimated that about 40 dogs were still in need of new homes.

She said the SPCA is trying to match the dogs to homes where people can provide some extra attention to animals..." More

June 9, 2010: 83 dogs and puppies seized by Sask. SPCA

Dozens of dogs, including five litters of puppies, were seized by RCMP and the Saskatchewan SPCA recently after officials received complaints about animals in distress.

According to police, on June 4th authorities went to a property in the Leslie area, east of Saskatoon and removed the animals.

"They were not being cared for," Frances Wach, executive director of the Saskatchewan SPCA, said Wednesday. "Because in order for us to take the animals into our care or seize them, they have to be in distress."

Wach said the animals did not have proper food, water or shelter.

The SPCA said it received a number of complaints about the property and the state of the dogs.

RCMP Const. Jim Ferguson was one of the officers at the scene when the dogs were seized.

"Most were outside, tied up basically on leashes," Ferguson said Wednesday. "I believe a couple dogs were located inside a residence on the property."

After the dogs were taken away, they were put in the care of the Saskatoon SPCA. The animals appeared to be huskies, wolfhounds and malamutes....

"We did take care of all their parasite concerns," Tiffiny Koback said. "[We] vaccinated them, provided them with medications to treat internal and external parasites."

On Wednesday, the SPCA said they need help because they have never had to deal with so many dogs all at once.

Koback says donations would be welcomed as they are spending about $800 per day on the new arrivals.

As well, volunteers are needed to help provide basic care for the dogs.

"Their coats are filthy," Koback said. "A lot of them are matted [and] there's fecal matter and urine in their coats. They're in need of a good cleanup."

According to a news release from the RCMP, charges of neglect of animals and causing distress to animals have been laid against a woman from Leslie, Saskatchewan.

April Irvine is to appear in provincial court in Wadena on June 24th..." More