Animal protection officers have seized 15 starving dogs from a breeder in Clearwater..The BC SPCA said an individual was breeding and selling Cane Corso puppies during COVID-19..Eileen Drever, one of the agency’s senior officers, said the conditions were “just horrific,” noting many of the dogs were “extremely emaciated.”.“It was one of the worst cases I have seen in my 42 years with the BC SPCA,” she said..The animal protection officers removed seven 10-week old puppies and eight dogs under the age of three years. Three of the dogs remain under intensive veterinary care due to their emaciated state..Dreyer said some of the dogs were kept outside all day in sub-zero temperatures with no food and no access to water since the bowls were frozen over.. Emaciated dogs .“The pens had compact snow and ice and no dry place for them to lay down,” said Dreyer..“I don’t how much longer these poor dogs would have lasted. The 10-week-old puppies were kept indoors in a wire crate, but did not have access to food.”.The SPCA also says there is evidence at least three of the dogs had eaten parts of a blanket from the floor. Some of the puppies also had wood splinters in their stool..Drever says the dog’s medical needs will likely be significant due to the level of starvation. Moreover, many of the dogs will need ongoing behavioural support due to being unsocialized and kept in an ongoing state of fear..“No animal should be subjected to this kind of suffering,” said Drever, adding she’s relieved they're now getting the nutrition and medical help they urgently need..An investigation into the breeder continues and animal cruelty charges are being recommended to Crown counsel.
