A Cariboo grow-op recently busted by RCMP turned up a lot of marijuana, some environmental contamination, and a collection of dogs.
The dogs were all in various stages of distress and some had to be euthanized due to medical conditions. The rest were taken in by a Williams Lake Mountie who has been looking after them and seeking community help for them.
Police located 8,600 pot plants and 13 dogs at the site located on a rural property near Williams Lake. They included a female German Shepherd with eight puppies, three other adult German Shepherds and a Burmese Mountain dog.
"These dogs were living among many hazards including chemicals, fertilizers, cesspools and spilled diesel," said RCMP spokesman Const. Michael McLaughlin.
"Their food dishes were empty and they had resorted to eating snow for survival. Due to the frigid minus-20 Celsius temperatures, Cpl. Dean Robinson of the Williams Lake Forensic Identification Section knew the pups would not survive once the power was cut on the property.
"The mother and pups appeared to be living in the dirt underneath an active grow building which was providing some heat."
Williams Lake SPCA personnel were unable to immediately attend the property.
"I decided right then, I couldn't just leave them there," said Robinson, who took the pups and mother to his personal residence for the night. "I am a dog lover and wanted to give these dogs a chance at survival."
The next day, when Robinson returned to the property to check on the other dogs, he discovered that only the three German Shepherds remained and appeared to have been abandoned.
He contacted the Williams Lake SPCA who attended and picked up the remaining three adult dogs as well as the mother and her pups.
Soon after their arrival at the SPCA, the mom and her pups were examined by a veterinarian. It was determined they all had a life-threatening and contagious disease called parvo and had to be euthanized.
The remaining three adult German Shepherds did not test positive for the disease and have all since been adopted.
"Rarely do you come across a grow-op of this size without finding some secondary issue going on. But finding this blatant disregard for the health of these dogs really hit home for me," said Robinson.
Since rescuing the dogs, Robinson has initiated a fundraiser with the co-operation of the SPCA and Williams Lake Save On Foods. They will use the money to carry out their day to day activities rescuing and caring for animals in need.
