The B.C. SPCA has seized 46 neglected dogs and puppies from a rural property north of Williams Lake.
Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer for the B.C. SPCA, said the dogs, a mix of breeds including American Eskimo, border collies, husky and Samoyed crosses, were seized Feb. 22 because of "lack of shelter, poor sanitation and inadequate veterinary care."
The 46 dogs were confined to a half-acre parcel of land with no shelter.
"It was freezing," said Moriarty.
The dogs are now in the care of SPCA veterinary and behavioural staff who are developing treatment and behaviour modification plans.
"With so many special needs dog, we've had to utilize a number a different shelters across the province to care for them," Moriarty said.
Moriarty said dealing with such serious psychological distress in dogs is a complex and long-term process.
"These dogs are terrified of human contact but we are doing everything we can to address their psychological distress through anti-anxiety medication and other treatments. At this initial stage we're focusing on reducing their emotional distress to the point where they can eat and drink and we will move forward step by step from there."
The owner of the dogs had recently moved to B.C.
"It wasn't a puppy mill ... but there was an intention to sell the puppies along with an intention to just collect them,"she said.
The B.C. SPCA will be recommending animal cruelty charges to Crown counsel.
"We will be seeking lifetime ban against this individual from owning animals -- if not jail," said Moriarty.
She said finding new homes for the dogs will not be an easy undertaking.
"The best case scenario is that we can help these dogs adjust, through medication and rehabilitation, so that they can eventually be adopted. But even then they will likely need to go to very specialized homes where the adopters understand that the dogs may never want to be touched or have close interaction with their new guardians."
