68 dogs taken in seizure could be up for adoption as early as next week: Winnipeg Humane Society

The Winnipeg Humane Society expects all 68 dogs seized Wednesday from what animal services called inhumane conditions in a south Winnipeg homewill make "great adoption candidates."

While some of the canines have dental issues and were shaking, they were very social when they came into the Winnipeg Humane Society and wanted to be held, CEO Jessica Miller said Thursday.

Miller said in past situations, some animals taken in largeseizures couldn'tbe put up for adoption.

"We've had cases where we've had all different kind of species, and sometimes they are so feral, unsocial, or medically unwell they can't move forward," she said.

But that doesn't seem to be the case with thenewly acquired dogs, whorange in age from puppies to seniors, and include pregnant females.

The dogs were removed Wednesday morningfrom a home on Brentlawn Boulevard, in the Richmond West area, the city's animal services said later that day.

Winnipeg police were called to the home for a well-being call and discovered the dogs.

On Thursday, Miller said it was a case of someone who got themselves "in over their head."

"A lot of these cases are socioeconomic. There could be a mental health crisis," she said.

"Sometimes they are just purely abusebreeding, backyard breeder, puppy mill [but] I don't think that was the case."

Miller said she panicked when the dogs first came in because donations are down and the shelter is falling short on its budget.During a news conference Wednesday, she estimated treating the 68 dogs could cost up to $150,000.

But now the phones are ringing off the hook and more than $70,000 has been raised in the last 24 hours, she said Thursday.

Some of the dogs couldbe ready for adoption as early as next week, she said.

"Ithink we might have seen the worst of the worst, and we're going to see a great outcome," said Miller.

Andrew Clarke,the director of investigations and emergency response at the humane society,said it's the largest seizure of animals he's been involved with.

As for the owner, "there won't be any charges from the provincial body. That does not mean that [City of Winnipeg] animal services, who had the Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw, may not have charges," he said.

Winnipeg Police Service Const. Claude Chancysaid Wednesday no criminal charges are pending.

Christiana Bratiotis, an associate professor of social work at the University of British Columbia whose research has focused on hoarding, said animal hoarding is a misunderstood topic. Large seizures can be devastating for owners, she said.

"Often the separation of the person from their animals is a very difficult emotional process for the person who hoards animals," Bratiotis said.

"Even if they are not providing the best care, their belief system, and it really is a distorted belief," is that they have the ability"to provide the best possible care for these animals."

Meanwhile, Miller said it's been emotional to see the support from the community.

"To have the community stand behind us every time something like this happens and we're able to bring it public, I'm so thankful."

Pups prepped for adoption after being rescued from inhumane conditions in Winnipeg home

4 months ago

Duration 0:49

The CEO of the Winnipeg Humane Society expects all 68 dogs seized from what animal services called inhumane conditions Wednesday will make 'great adoption candidates.'