CALGARY- Eight animals remain in quarantine at the Calgary Humane Society after being seized from a home in Woodbine on Sunday. Five dogs and three cats were found living in unsanitary conditions, all with health concerns.
“Something like this where you see a home in this state, it’s certainly concerning and something that needs to be rectified in order for animals – let alone humans – to be living in it,” said Brad Nichols, the Calgary Humane Society’s Senior manager of Animal Cruelty Investigations.
But the eight animals seized on Sunday pales in comparison to last year’s total. Nichols said in 2015 more than 2,400 animals were seized in Calgary. “Last year was incredibly busy. In fact the last two years have been incredibly busy. Our average year for seized animals is around 300 to 400 animals.”
In 2015 there were two major seizures which account, in part, for the dramatic increase. In May, more than 1,000 mice were seized from a home in Temple. Some were in cages, while others were found crawling in walls and through vents.
READ MORE: Animal seizure from Temple home the largest in Calgary’s history
Then, in December, more than 300 exotic animals were seized from Riverfront Aquariums in Calgary’s northeast. The Calgary Humane Society alleges the animals were in cramped, dirty conditions with inadequate access to fresh water and food.
READ MORE: Riverfront Aquariums repeat offenders after reptile seizure
And 2016 doesn’t look much better. Nichols believes the organization will once again see a spike due to the economy. “The downturn in the economy does definitely have a link to animal care. People don’t have money, they have to feed themselves, quite often food, medical care fall off for animals.”
As for the animals seized on Sunday, it’s still to be determined if the owner will be charged. Nichols just hopes other people in the same situation will surrender their pets, before officers come knocking on their door.
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