Protesters upset with the OPSCA's application to euthanize 21 dog seized from an alleged dog fighting ring are seen outside the Provincial Offences Court in Chatham on July 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)Protesters upset with the OPSCA's application to euthanize 21 dog seized from an alleged dog fighting ring are seen outside the Provincial Offences Court in Chatham on July 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Chatham

No Decision Yet For OSPCA Euthanasia Application

There is still no decision regarding the Ontario SPCA's application to euthanize 21 dogs seized from an alleged dog fighting ring in Tilbury, but the issue will be back in court on August 25 in Chatham.

A closed judicial pre-trial today saw the August hearing scheduled to decide intervenor status for the three groups looking to argue against the application.

Lawyer John Nunziata representing the Toronto-area animal rescue Dog Tales is one of the groups applying for intervenor status and says his client has a solution for the dogs — a shelter in Florida is ready to take them in.

"I can't imagine anyone objecting to this because the dogs will be saved from being destroyed," says Nunziata.

Dog Tales Media Director Clare Forndran says the DPFL National Canine Centre in Wellborn, Florida has agreed to take in the seized dogs and Dog Tales is prepared to cover the costs to get the dogs there.

The OSPCA has been caring for the seized dogs and has maintained the dogs are being well looked after.

Protesters upset with the OPSCA's application to euthanize 21 dog seized from an alleged dog fighting ring bring their dogs to the Provincial Offences Court in Chatham where a judicial pre-trial was being held on July 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza) Protesters upset with the OPSCA's application to euthanize 21 dog seized from an alleged dog fighting ring bring their dogs to the Provincial Offences Court in Chatham where a judicial pre-trial was being held on July 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)

Nunziata is disappointed a decision regarding the application to euthanize the dogs hasn't been reached yet.

"What I think is very sad and frustrating is this is the fifth appearance with respect to this matter; it's taken nine months to get to this stage," says Nunziata. "I think it's a sad indictment of our justice system."

The length of the process hasn't surprised the OSPCA.

"We certainly respect the court process and their due diligence in this case," says Jennifer Bluhm, spokesperson for the OSPCA. "We look forward to returning on [August] 8 and continuing to move forward with this process and look forward to having some more concrete direction as we proceed."

A small, peaceful group of protesters were there for the judicial pre-trial on Thursday and stood outside the provincial offences courthouse in Chatham over the noon hour, continuing to voice their displeasure with the OSPCA's application to euthanize the dogs.

"We will continue to advocate for these dogs. We are not going to give up," says Cathy Green, protest coordinator.

She feels a third party assessment of the dogs is needed before any order to euthanize is given.

"Every dog deserves an opportunity for fair assessments and treatment," says Green.

The OSPCA, in addition to its own assessments, has had its American counterpart assess the seized dogs and found the dogs to be beyond rehabilitation.

"The experts deemed these were some of the most aggressive dogs that they had ever seen," says Bluhm, stressing the seized dogs aren't suitable to be kept in a rescue facility or dog sanctuary. "Those dogs are not domestic dogs. They were bred for a life of fighting. They've only known one way and that's the life of fighting. A different shelter doesn't change the genetic makeup and behaviour of the dog."

Bluhm adds seven dogs seized from the alleged dog fighting ring in Tilbury — not part of the 21 potentially set to be euthanized — have been identified as possible rehab candidates.

Protesters upset with the OPSCA's application to euthanize 21 dog seized from an alleged dog fighting ring are seen outside the Provincial Offences Court in Chatham on July 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza) Protesters upset with the OPSCA's application to euthanize 21 dog seized from an alleged dog fighting ring are seen outside the Provincial Offences Court in Chatham on July 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)

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