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B.C. SPCA recommends animal cruelty charges for owner of emaciated husky
MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. – The B.C. SPCA has identified the owner of a severely emaciated Siberian husky who had been eating gravel and dirt to stay alive.
The dog — now named Willow and estimated to be between one and two years old — weighed just 15 kilograms when she was found wandering in Maple Ridge last week.
"She was pretty much near death," said Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer for the B.C. SPCA.
"She had pretty much zero fat stores and when they did an X-ray on her stomach, it was filled with pebbles and gravel, because we presume that was all she could find to eat."
She said the dog's owner has been identified as a Coquitlam resident and university student in his 20s. SPCA officers have interviewed him and believe there is sufficient evidence to move forward with animal cruelty charges.
Moriarty said the agency hopes to gather a case to present to Crown counsel by the end of next week.
She said the SPCA learned of the owner's identity through a phone call from a neighbour who recognized the husky after seeing her photo in the media.
Willow was brought to the Maple Ridge SPCA on Jan. 31 by a Good Samaritan. She was extremely weak and malnourished, as a normal weight for a dog of her age and breed is about 24 kilograms.
"Of course, it was touch and go for that first 24 hours," said Moriarty. "It will be a long road to recovery, but we have every reason to believe that hopefully she will completely recover and go on to live a very happy life."
The dog remains in the care of the Maple Ridge SPCA, where her diet is being closely monitored by a veterinarian. Donations for her ongoing care are welcomed by the agency.
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4 responses
I pray that the person that owned this dog, gets more time then the person that killed those six dogs. She got a month for each dog she killed, if it was me who was judge her. It would have been a year for each dog she killed. This person should be starved the way he starved his dog, so he knows the feeling and pain this poor dog went threw and is going through. Animal cruelty is as bad as murder as far as I am concerned. And the people that hurt and abuse animals will sooner or later start in on human beings as well. So maybe there should be heavier Sentence to all of those that Abuse Animals.
the owner and abuser of the dog should receive the same punishment..let him get hungry enough to eat pebbles and gravel..
If you can’t feed your animal ask someone for help. They can’t ask for help. Sad to see this dog so malnourished!
Why do people do this to animals?This is so infuriating, are some peoplejust that stupidor are they that full of hate to do such a terrible thing to mans best friend .the person who done this should have the same treatmentdone to them starve them.no mercy