An Alberta woman who recently had 200 dogs removed from her rural
property says she’s devastated by the loss of the animals and now fears
for her safety after receiving threats from the public.
April Irving is the woman at the centre of what the SPCA is calling the largest case of dog neglect in Alberta’s history.
More than 140 dogs were removed from a farm east of Milk River in
January by the SPCA. Court documents allege most of the dogs had been
tethered or chained to abandoned vehicles or farm machinery, and some
had no protection from the winter cold. Five dead puppies were also
removed from the property.
The Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society described it as the worst
neglect and abuse case it had ever encountered. The SPCA said the dogs
were suffering from malnutrition, serious injuries and severe neglect.
Last December, Irving voluntarily surrendered 60 dogs to Alberta SPCA officials, after a neighbour complained.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
A number of animal rescue groups throughout Alberta are now caring for the dogs.
In her first public interview, Irving told CTV Lethbridge she’s
devastated by the loss of the dog, and will respond to the allegations
in court.
She said she supports the SPCA in principle, but has issues with their
tactics and contends they sometimes misrepresent the facts.
She said her three-legged dog was shown on camera as an example of
animal suffering, but says the veterinarian who came to seize the dogs
is from the same clinic that conducted the operation to remove its leg.
“Did his leg drop off, did he lose it? No, it was done in a proper
operation and I paid for the care of my animals,” Irving said.
Irving admits that looking after 200 dogs isn’t easy. She said it often
involved extensive driving to gather food, and long, exhausting hours
outdoors in all kinds of weather.
“Before I surrendered, there was 18 hours a day -- non-stop running,” she said. “Food, water, shelter, care, medicine.”
Irving is no stranger to animal rescue officials.
Court documents show the SPCA had to seize dogs from her in 2007. Then
in 2010, the Saskatchewan SPCA had to remove 82 dogs from her property
near Foam Lake.
Irving said she now fears for her own safety, after having receiving threats online and in public.
She agreed to speak on-camera only if her face was blurred and voice disguised.
Irving said that people may never understand her relationship with the
dogs or her way of life, but should have all the facts before judging
her.
“You can’t treat a human like how they’ve been treating me,” she said.
“Not the SPCA or the public, you can’t treat a person like that.”
The SPCA continues to investigation the case. So far, no charges have been laid.
Meanwhile, ownership of the animals has been transferred to AARCS. The
rescue group has said that many of the dogs will need extensive vet care
and long-term treatment before they’re healthy enough to be put up for
adoption.
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