Animal rights organization PETA offers provincial vet $10K to enforce regulations

The animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal (PETA) has sent a letter to the province's chief veterinary office (CVO) offering $10,000 to help fund the enforcement of animal welfare regulations in shelters and animal rescue groups.

The offer comes after the CVO was involved in removing one dead puppy and four dogs from the residence of a director ofa Winnipeg animal rescue group.

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"We've received calls and articles from concerned area residents and one of the articles in particular talked about some of the really horrific conditions that were found at this so-called rescue. And cited that one of the obstacles to enforcing current regulations on these kinds of facilities is funding," said Teresa Chagrin, Animal Care and Control Specialist at PETA.

PETA says the offer was made on Friday via email to the CVO's companion animal welfare veterinarian, Colleen Marion. Other media reported that Marion blamedlack of funding as an obstacle to regulation enforcement.

When asked by the CBC earlier this week if funding was an obstacle, the province only said that the CVO had not received budgetary cuts, but would not specify a timeframe.

Late Friday, the province saidPETAhad not contacted the CVO and declined to say it would accept the money.

PETA says that it stands by its offer, and while they cannot provide ongoing funding, they hope the gesture will draw attention to the importance of enforcing animal welfare regulations.

"[We're hoping that] government officials will realize that this something very very serious that needs to be adequately funded and these regulations need to be strongly enforced," said Chagrin in a phone interview with CBC.

Lack of enforcement leads to abuse

Chagrin says that government'slack of enforcement of animal welfareregulationsat no-kill shelters and rescue groups often leads to cases of abuse.

"Many of the complaints we're dealing with today are cruelty to animals by people calling themselves rescues," she said.

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"One of the biggest betrayals of this, is that a lot of these places are getting their funding from kind-hearted people who think that these so-called rescues are helping these animals, when in fact they are harming them and killing them in the most horrific ways," she said.

A spokesperson with the province said the office of the chief veterinarian currently maintains a record on all animal shelters and rescues that have been brought to its attention and/or inspected, including whether the animals were being provided with adequate care.

When asked if this offer was an attempt to gain publicity, as PETA is often known for staging stunts to garner media attention, Chagrin stated that it was a bold gesture meant to get the government's attention.

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"This is a desperate situation, and when you are faced with a desperate situation, sometimes desperate measures have to be taken," she said.

Funding for animals often lacking

PETA is based out of the U.S., but operates throughout North America. Chagrin says the lack of funding for animal welfare enforcement is not a problem that is unique to Manitoba.

"The sad reality is that funds are hard to come by and unfortunately animals always seem to go to the bottom of the list," said Chagrin.

"Hopefully our offer to help will inspire and motivate people to really request of their government to step up and crack down.."

The office of the chief veterinarian is funded by the provincial government.

On Thursday, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said he is concerned about the reports about the rescue group, but added that he is not convinced additional funding would eliminate the problem.

"I've already instructed [our minister] to look at ways to innovatively find some solutions to this problem, but simply throwing money at it isn't going to solve it," said Pallister.

The CVO has yet to release if charges will be laid in the case.