VANCOUVER – Dr. Sara Dubois, a wildlife expert and BC SPCA chief scientific officer, met with Oak Bay and Capital Regional District staff to reiterate the society’s animal welfare concerns over the district’s deer cull.
In late January, Oak Bay received permits to cull 25 deer after concerns the animals were posing a threat to the safety of humans and animals and were destroying gardens.
Dubois met with officials on Wednesday to make sure both the district, and the contractor hired to carry out the plan, are aware of the BC SPCA’s mandate and responsibility to respond to complaints of any animal in distress.
“Our opposition to the cull remains unchanged,” said Dr. Dubois in a release.
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The BC SPCA has no legal grounds to stop a permitted cull if the methods used do not contravene either the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act or the Criminal Code of Canada. “However, in our enforcement role, our special constables will be investigating all legitimate complaints which relate to improper handling, inattention to animal distress and practices that fall outside of general accepted industry standards,” said Dubois.
The society has stated they do not believe the approach to granting the permits was based on an accurate deer count, proper consultation with residents or conflict-reduction programs prior to the cull.
“At this point the BC SPCA has done everything within our legal ability in Oak Bay,” said Dubois. “We have the authority to investigate how animals are used or killed in the province, but we do have not ability to control why or for what purpose animals are used or killed. At the end of the day, concerned Oak Bay and CRD residents need to be a voice for the deer.”
WATCH: Oak Bay deer cull set to go ahead:
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