The owner of a kennel in Thames Centre, Ont. has been receiving complaints about a local home for roughly a year. The municipality recently contacted her to inform her that police were ready to execute a warrant at the home. The kennel owner, Tracey Gibson, stated that they have received multiple calls about the home, but by the time they arrive, the dogs are usually gone. After seizing the dogs, it was found that only one was aggressive, while the others were all friendly. The dogs seized were fairly young and in good health, with one being a brindle mastiff named Zoe who had recently given birth to six puppies. The dogs were surrendered to the kennel and will be quarantined before potential rehoming.
The Ontario Provincial Police were already investigating complaints regarding the home when a cyclist was bitten while passing by, prompting the search warrant to be executed. Twelve dogs were seized and the 63-year-old owner of the home was charged under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act for failing to exercise reasonable precautions to prevent aggressive behavior in a dog. The kennel owner, Gibson, mentioned that the dogs seized were supposed to be five in number, but they ended up taking in twice as many. Additionally, it was discovered that Zoe, the brindle mastiff, had recently given birth to puppies that were found in the home in what was described as dirty conditions.
Gibson expressed hope that the dogs, aside from the aggressive one, can be rehomed, but she noted that finding homes for all the dogs may be difficult. Despite the challenges, the kennel is determined to care for the dogs and ensure their well-being. Gibson highlighted the importance of spaying and neutering pets to prevent situations where animals are abandoned or need to be euthanized. The kennel currently has around 50 dogs in their care, including the dozen recently seized, and they emphasize the importance of responsible pet ownership to avoid overcrowding in shelters and the unfortunate need for euthanasia.
The kennel owner, Gibson, mentioned that they had picked up Zoe in Brantford two years ago when she had a piece of metal through her eyelid and required surgery. The owner had contacted the kennel claiming the dog had gone missing, but later returned to collect her and pay for the surgery. The kennel is committed to providing the necessary care for all the dogs in their care, including the recent additions from the home in Thames Centre. Gibson also shared that even puppies can be difficult to adopt, emphasizing the importance of considering adoption and responsible pet ownership when bringing a dog into one’s home.
The kennel is prepared to care for and quarantine the dogs until they are ready for potential rehoming. The kennel owner, Gibson, expressed concern about the challenges of finding homes for the dogs, especially the aggressive one, but remains committed to ensuring their well-being. The kennel currently has a significant number of dogs in their care, including strays that are picked up in their service area. Gibson stressed the importance of understanding the reality of euthanasia in shelters due to overcrowding and urged pet owners to spay and neuter their pets to prevent the need for such drastic measures.
In conclusion, the situation involving the seizure of dogs from a home in Thames Centre highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and the potential consequences of neglecting or mistreating animals. The kennel is working to care for and potentially rehome the dogs, despite the challenges they may face in finding suitable placements. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of spaying and neutering pets to prevent overpopulation and reduce the number of animals in need of shelter and care. By raising awareness about these issues, the kennel hopes to encourage individuals to make informed decisions about pet ownership and contribute to the well-being of animals in their community.
