‘Irresponsible breeding and neglect’: 27 dogs, 1 cat seized by B.C. SPCA

One of the animals seized from a property in the Kootenays is shown in this photo from the B.C. SPCA.

A large team of animal protection officers, backed up by police, recently descended on a remote property in the Kootenays to seize 28 animals, according to the B.C. SPCA.

Twenty-seven dogs and one cat were taken in during the investigation into “irresponsible breeding and neglect,” the organization said in a statement Thursday.

The dogs were mainly kept outdoors, without adequate shelter or food, and are riddled with parasites because they were likely drinking from an algae-covered pond, according to the charity.

“A number of the animals are underweight and have been put on a veterinarian-supervised refeeding plan, and many of the puppies were found with scarring and bite wounds, most likely due to fighting,” the statement from the B.C. SPCA said.

The charity described the condition of the puppies as “heartbreaking,” saying some of the young animals are suffering from “very serious” worm infections that will require specialized treatment.

The animals have been sent to B.C. SPCA locations across the province, where they are starting to adapt to being in care.

“It’s so nice to hear that the dogs are starting to let their guards down. When they first arrived, many of them were extremely fearful of hands and leashes, but they’re starting to warm up to our staff and accept some love,” Matt Affleck, regional manager of cruelty investigations, said in the statement.

None of the animals are up for adoption as the investigation is ongoing, the B.C. SPCA said.