Corner Brook SPCA furious with city over handling of animal hoarding case

An animal protection group in western Newfoundland is upset with the City of Corner Brook's plans for dealing with more than 30 animals ithad just rescued from an out-of-control hoarding situation.

On Wednesday, the N.L. West SPCA met with Corner Brook officials for whatitbelieved wasa meeting to discuss a housing solution for the animals.

But when the group met with Todd Flynn, the director of protective services, and a municipal enforcement officer, the organization said they were offered a different solution for an urgent sheltering crisis: euthanization.

"We truly thought that it was a discussion on how they may be able to help us," Nichola Patey, the shelter director of N.L.West SPCA, said in an interview with CBCNews.

"We were very surprised and heartbroken, honestly, at their response, that the recommendation was to euthanize all of the animals."

According to a video statement posted on Facebook by the group,when the organization and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary responded to the hoarding emergency on Oct. 1, the city was able to provide a temporary shelter facility,but the animals had to be removed from the premises within one week.

Nowthe board of directors is trying to find a long-term solution before time runs out.

"I am asking the city council, what will happen if we don't find a place to rent in the next week?" asked Patey in the video.

Reprieve was extended for a few days

Originally, the SPCA said it was given 72 hours to vacate the temporary shelter, the amount of time the city is required to hold impounded animals before euthanization.

Patey said the 72-hour hold is true for impounded animalsbut the animals they rescued this weekend are legally in the SPCA's care.

During the meeting with the city, Patey askedfor clarity on whether all the animals would be euthanizedif they didn't vacate the building within 72 hours.

"They could tell I was obviously bothered by their comments and outraged by the audacity to suggest we would euthanize all of these animals," she said.

So after some negotiating, their deadline was extended to one week. Then, Patey said, Kim Fraser, the SPCA manager who also attended the meeting, asked if the city would help with the cost of renting another building.

"They said they would consider, pending approval, possibly paying one month's rent if we could find a facility to rent to us to house the animals," said Patey.

In a statement provided to CBCNews, the City of Corner Brook said the video posted by the N.L. West SPCA unfairly characterized its position on the shelter issue.

"Although the director [of protective services] urged the SPCA to find a longer-term location for the animals, and even offered to pay for a temporary space, the city would never see the animals left unsheltered or insist that animals in the SPCA's care be euthanized," reads the statement.

"Our city representatives left the meeting believing they had a constructive conversation with our partnerand were dismayed to learn of the interpretation described in the video."

As of Friday, the SPCA hadyet to secure a long-term solution for the rescued pets.

Patey said they need the facility for a minimum of two months so the animals can be properly vetted, integrated into their shelter and put up for adoption.

"We are confident that we will find somewhere for these animals to go," she said.

"We are not going to let them be euthanized."

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