Reminder to keep pets safe in winter, after starving dog rescued in Hope

HOPE (NEWS 1130) – The BC SPCA is imploring people to look after their pets properly as the temperature drops, after finding a starving dog tethered outside a home in Hope.

According to the BC SPCA, the seven-year-old mastiff, named Handsome, was emaciated, outside, tethered on a heavy chain and surrounded by ice and snow at the property on December 20th. The BC SPCA says a bucket of water, frozen over, was nearby. A kennel did not have any insulation or bedding and was surrounded by ice.

“This poor boy was visibly shaking. He’s so thin, his bones are clearly visible, with very little to no body fat, the dog is unable to maintain its body heat,” says BC SPCA senior animal protection officer Eileen Drever. “He was rushed to the vet, who found him to be emaciated, with a body condition score of only one out of nine. That is nowhere near healthy for any dog, let alone one who was left outside in extremely cold weather without access to adequate shelter.”

The BC SPCA’s Shawn Eccles says charges of animal cruelty are being recommended against Handsome’s former owner.

“All of his front teeth are probably going to have to be removed. They’ve worn right down to the gums from chewing or either rocks, or chain or some hard object. Just devastating,” Eccles says. “And yet, this animal, when we removed him and took him to the vet, was so happy and full of life. It amazes me that he could still be so trusting of a human.”

He says Handsome is expected to recover, but is reminding all pet owners to make sure their animals have access to proper shelter and clean drinking water.

“If it’s farm animals, again, the same thing –access to food, water, some sort of shelter, so that these animals can get in out of the elements.”

Drever also believes cases like this serve as a reminder for owners to make sure their pets have adequate shelter, warm bedding, and food and water that is not frozen over during winter.

“We rescue thousands of animals from heartbreaking situations every year at the SPCA, but cases like this are particularly shocking,” she says.

NEWS 1130 Listener comes forward to pay medical bills

After hearing this story, NEWS 1130 listener Kyle Chester has offered to pay Handsome’s medical bills and is donating $4,200 to help.

“Well, because it seems to be the right thing to do after all that trouble the dog had gone through, and all the abuse. And animals don’t need the abuse,” Chester says. “They need someone to take care of them and this is why we’re going to step up and take care of them with that bill.”

Chester doesn’t understand how someone can treat a defenceless animal in such a way, and says he’s just trying to “right a wrong.”

The medical and rehabilitation costs associated with the dog’s care are expected to exceed $4,000. Staff with the BC SPCA have confirmed the amount donated and say any extra funds collected will go to their Cruelty Investigations Department.