iN VIDEO: BC SPCA seizes 17 dogs in distress from North Okanagan breeder

The BC SPCA have seized 17 dogs from a North Okanagan breeder that were living in horrid conditions.

The 16 Yorkshire terriers and a pregnant Pomeranian are between the ages of two and 10, according to a BC SPCA media release. The animals were found in distress as defined by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The SPCA didn't say when the animals were discovered.

Marcie Moriarty with the SPCA said their officers were shocked at the dog's poor living conditions. The society hasn't said which community the dog breeder was operating in.

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"The ammonia smell from the urine was overwhelming. The dogs were being kept in dirty crates that were caked in urine, feces and vomit," she said in the release. "We have reason to believe the dogs had not had access to any drinking water since the day prior and the only food available looked very old.

"The room they were in was dirty with soiled newspaper strewn around and different objects blocking access to the dog crates.”

Badly overgrown nails, matted coats soaked in urine, extremely poor dental health, inflamed guns and one untreated groin injury were all found.

The SPCA will recommend charges of animal cruelty to the Crown counsel.

Ever since the demand for dogs has lessened after the sudden surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, Moriarty said the society has been seeing too many cases like this one.

“At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the huge demand for companion animals led to an explosion of new dog breeders hoping to cash in and not all of them followed reputable breeding practices," she said. "Now that this demand has lessened, the BC SPCA, and other animal welfare agencies across the country, are seeing record-high numbers of dogs entering our care from situations like this.

"There is no excuse for animals to suffer due to unscrupulous breeders who put profit before animal care.”

The dogs are receiving medial treatment so they can be eventually adopted.

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