Okanagan – SCPA and RCMP were investigating after Social Media reports of a dog in a crate strapped to the rear of a recreational trailer travelling between the Lower Mainland and the South Okanagan.
Sunday evening, June 27 at 8:21 p.m., the Keremeos RCMP received a call from a concerned member of the public after they recognized a recreational trailer travelling on Highway 3, east bound toward Osoyoos that was previously posted to social media showing a dog in a crate on the rear of the RV.
Patrols were made by both Keremeos and Osoyoos RCMP with no further sightings.
“On June 27, 2021 several media agencies contacted the RCMP looking into the matter,” states Sgt Jason Bayda, Media Relations Officer for the Penticton South Okanagan Regional RCMP. “At the time, the location of the RV and wellbeing of the dog was unknown. I am pleased to tell you, that thank you to the public and media’s attention to this incident, the dog has now been located in Oliver, BC and is doing well.”
“We are grateful to the many concerned people who contacted us about this situation,” says Lorie Chortyk, general manager of communications for the BC SPCA. “We were able to act quickly to locate the dog and to apply for a warrant to seize him.” The SPCA took the dog into custody on June 30 and is caring for him at an undisclosed location.
“We deal with hundreds of calls each summer to rescue pets in distress in hot vehicles, but this situation was definitely a first for us,” says Chortyk. “We will be recommending charges of animal cruelty when we submit the file to Crown counsel for their decision.”
The German shepherd is now safe and receiving “lots of love and attention from SPCA staff”, says Chortyk. “He is not available for adoption at this time, as we have to follow the legal steps in the process before he is ours to rehome. We are truly grateful to everyone who reached out to help this poor dog.”
If you see an animal in distress, please contact the BC SPCA Call Centre at 1.855.622.7722.
