A man charged with failing to properly care for over 200 animals who then applied for a kennel development permit to run a dog-breeding facility in Alberta has been denied.
The Vulcan County municipal planning commission voted unanimously to deny Tyler Marshall’s plan in chambers Wednesday morning.
READ MORE: Man charged after massive animal seizure applies to start dog-breeding facility in Alberta
Close to 200 letters were submitted to the committee expressing opposition to the application and a handful of protesters also attended the meeting.
The Calgary Humane Society spoke in opposition of the application, suggesting there was too many gaps in information. There were concerns about the operation being characterized as a “puppy mill” and worries about the welfare of the animals being housed there.
Watch below: A man who had dozens of animal seized from his Alberta property for allegedly failing to properly care for them has applied to start a dog-breeding facility. Doug Vaessen has details.
The Alberta SPCA said 131 dogs, 62 rabbits, eight cats and three tortoises were seized from “Ty” Marshall’s Alberta property in late April. The SPCA alleges the animals were determined to be in distress.
“It wasn’t food and water – it was other issues related to health – untreated medical issues and ventilation,” SPCA spokesperson Roland Lines told Global News Tuesday.
Two of the dogs seized in the case had parvovirus and had to be put down in April. A third dog tested positive but was in the early stages and was treated at an off-site clinic. As a precaution, the Calgary Humane Society temporarily closed its doors to disinfect the area and minimize the chance of the disease spreading.
LISTEN: SPCA confirms charges laid in connection with massive animal seizure
Marshall released a statement through his lawyer Tuesday night (scroll down to read the full statement), saying he has been diligent in his efforts to resolve “this dispute with the Alberta SPCA” concerning the seizure. He said he will vigorously contest the charges he faces.
READ MORE: Public asked to stay away from Calgary Humane Society due to deadly parvovirus
Marshall used to own Animal House in Okotoks, which eventually closed.
A handful of protesters also attended the Vulcan County municipal planning commission.
LISTEN: Vulcan County considers development permit request for large kennel and breeding facility
In his application for a permit to develop the large kennel area, a June 5 letter signed by Marshall says he operates a breeding and brokerage business involving dogs and puppies at his parents’ property northeast of Vulcan.
“I have a standing population of breeding dogs, of varying types,” he wrote. “They are housed here for breeding purposes; their puppies are sold retail and wholesale. I am also a broker, other breeders will sell me puppies at wholesale, I will then resell them.”
Marshall’s next court appearance related to the charges is June 26 in Lethbridge.
With files from Mia Sosiak