CONTRIBUTION · 19th January 2012
Ronnette Musterer
This is Danny Wheeler, sitting in front of a restaurant in Prince Rupert in protest to try to get his dog back. He's from Newfoundland, but had been living in Kamloops. He came to Prince Rupert two weeks ago with his dog Watchem. 9 days ago the SPCA took Watchem, telling Danny that they believed the dog had been abused.
The vet report says the only thing wrong with the dog is it appears to be a little hungry, but the SPCA refused to give the dog back.
Danny had been laying or sitting in various parts of Rupert all day January 18th in hopes that someone will help him get his dog back. The police came only to ask him to move away from peoples establishments.
I asked him if he thinks freezing to death will help his dog and he replied, "It’s get my dog back or freeze, no one cares...."
I asked if I can take a picture for the paper and he said yes but he won't go in until he gets his dog out. He told me that his dog has been with him since he was a puppy and they've never been apart, and that he just wants his dog back.
I talked him into getting out of the cold and drove him home. He will start his protest again in the morning if he can't get his dog back.
A lot of good Samaritans stopped to see if they can help but he told them he wasn't leaving until he gets watchem back.
Danny said he has his blankets a kind man gave him; a heater and his dog.
RETURN THE DOG ADMIT YOU WERE WRONG
Comment by DISGUSTED FORMER RUPERITE on 24th January 2012
This is another fine example of the SPCA and bureaucratic BU)) SHI)T at work once again in the fine city. What is the problem here and why can Danny NOT have his dog back. The VET has cleared there WAS NO ABUSE to the dog, He is NOT VISCOUS, and maybe just maybe a little hungry. Did anyone stop to think that there is NO PROBLEM here.
This is not the first time the Pr. Rupert SPCA has found themselves in red hot water and it will not be the last... but... it is time for them to step up to the plate and DO THE RIGHT THING and right now.Did the SPCA bother to check with the local SPCA where Danny had just come from for any abuses there... well of course not they jump to conclusions and then get caught and put there back to the wall and refuse to talk to the pet owner, return calls, or messages real PROFESSIONAL people at that joint I tell ya. Oh the VOTING is now happening for Chamber of Commerce Awards... Oh Pr. Rupert SPCA you will not win a damn thing with your current attitude. How dare you refuse to do the work your say you are mandated to do. Throw new born kittens off the 6th Ave bridge, refuse to bring a trap, always an excuse's with that place.
Yet had the kittens been thrown off that bridge and it was reported the lies would start and the person who followed the instruction would be hauled threw the courts, fined, and never allowed to own an animal again.
GROW SOME ,,,#,,,# SPCA AND RETURN THE DOG. The dog is grieving the loss of his master and probably not eating, Danny is grieving the theft of his dog by the SPCA come on Rupertites get behind this and go viral and demand action and NOW !!!!
there ARE better things for the SPCA to do in Rupert!
Comment by wanda lee on 23rd January 2012
If being hungry is now a crime we are in big trouble. Watchem hasn't done anything wrong yet he's been seperated from his person and thrown in dog jail, for being hungry??
The dog isn't being helped here, he's being punished, as is his 'owner', punished for being poor. Now they are being deprived of the comfort they give each other, I can only imagine how desperate the gentleman must be to have his friend back. To be alone and broke in a strange town and then have your companion animal taken from you because strangers decide it may have missed a meal or two, or been on less than prime rations is a nightmare, and horribly cruel. By the way, the gentleman looks like he's missed a few meals along the way too.
I guess only middle class people with homes and full larders are allowed to have the companionship of dogs now? Is the SPCA going to start confiscating animals who are being fed table scraps or cheaper budget dog foods because they might not be getting enough of the proper nutrients in their diets?
What I don't understand is why didn't the SPCA just give them a bit of food if they thought hunger is the issue, is Watchem eating now that he's in jail? Is he any happier?
I think, if there was no abuse or cruel neglect, this was a truly heartless action on the part of the SPCA and they need to rectify it immediately by returning Watchem to his person, with a bag of (good quality) kibble and an apology.
In closing I want to add, we are killing our beloved companion animals with cheap crappy food; corn, wheat, unidentifible chicken parts, unpronouncable chemicals etc. Dogs are developing food intolerances, cats diabetes. We see a rib on a dog and think it's starving. A dog should show the first three ribs at least, a normal weight healthy dog looks way too thin to most people. If Watchem is showing some ribs and you can feel his hips he's not starving he's normal.
Rupert has a big heart, I hope it can help these two find their way back to each other,
Wanda
spca give this man his dog back
Comment by raven grauman on 23rd January 2012
i hope a reasonable evaluation is being made for this situation. the ppl at the spca have made alot of mistakes. I know this for a fact.
It appears the SPCA is overstepping it's perameters.
Comment by Brenda Gonsalves on 23rd January 2012
Jan 23 and I've been told Watchem has still not been returned to Danny.
I have not noticed any followup in the news.
I strongly believe the SPCA whom I usually support is overstepping itself here. The Vet reported the dog displays no sign of abuse!
Why aren't we seeing more articles on the plight of these two being forcibly seperated?
I am sure the public would like to be aware of this situation, and see them reunited.
Cat's
Comment by Sindicat on 23rd January 2012
I know one lady (the one that was running it) Told my Friend to go drop her New born Kittens off 6th ave Bridge *My Friend had no vehicle and Lived by 6th* that they had no time, and would not Drive to see her, or help Her!!!
There must be better things for the SPCA to do
Comment by D Wolfe on 20th January 2012
I've heard Danny's story; the SPCA lawyer won't answer his calls; the local SPCA won't talk to him or answer his messages...he wants his dog back. His dog is very friendly, quiet, well behaved and enjoys playing when people are around but he sits patiently while Danny has a coffee/soup at the kitchen...he should have his dog back especially when the SPCA folks don't even have the courtesy to return calls/messages. Danny has to leave for an operation and he wants his dog to leave with him so...people try help him out. It sure would be nice if the SPCA could attend other complaints as quickly as they did to Danny; I called them about having 6 kittens and couldn't find homes and needed their help; the lady told me to "let them go and go wild" and I said you gotta be kidding. The lady said they were over-run with cats and dogs and they couldn't help me. Another incident they were called about 4 kitten found under a house and they were going to drop off a cage so they could try catch the kittens; cage never came. Neighbour finally got the cage and 3 were caught but 1 is still "going wild"...SPCA wants more money, well perhaps their focus needs to change; Danny looks after his dog and they are really putting him through the ringer, and then they forget about other animals that is supposed to be their jobs...baffled.
