'Get them back on track': Saskatoon shelter reports increase in abused dogs
According to We All Need A Rescue (WANAR), the rescue organization has observed an increasing number of abused dogs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WANAR, a dog rescue kennel located 25 kilometres west of Saskatoon, said it currently has 93 dogs in its care.
Harvey Domoslai, a veterinarian who works with WANAR, said that an increase of general stress and anxiety may have contributed to an increasing number of abused dogs.
“I know people are at home with their dogs and sometimes the dogs take the brunt of our frustration unfortunately,” Domoslai said. “We don’t usually deal with the socio-economic problems. We look at the pet in front of us and try and deal with them. Some of them are quite tragic and really, really shocking.”
Domoslai said these sometime tragic circumstances are dealt with at WANAR once the dogs come under the organizations care.
“We just make sure the animal is looked after,” he explained. “The pain needs are looked after and whatever health things we can do for them to get them back on track.”
WANAR operator Brent Arstall said part of the pre-pandemic work involved educating children about proper dog care. An education opportunity that’s just restarted at Saskatoon and area schools.
“It’s really nice to talk to the kids and show them how to look after dogs and things like that,” he said.
Earlier this year the Saskatoon Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) announced they would stop investigating cruelty complaints as of April of this year.
"This was a painful decision for our organization. We simply do not have the resources or funding to equip our officers properly and safely enforce the provincial law the way our community needs,” Saskatoon SPCA executive director Graham Dickson said in a media release.
The SPCA said a request for provincial funding was turned down last year.
"We will work with government to support the transition and advocate for the enforcement of the Animal Protection Act in Saskatoon," Dickson said.
"Animal abusers must be held accountable."
In 2021, the Saskatoon SPCA investigated 865 cases of alleged animal abuse or neglect, according to the organization.
As for WANAR, it will continue to operate the city's animal shelter, municipal pound and provide adoption services.
WANAR has been helping dogs since 2012. They have a no-kill policy and aim to rescue dogs from all over the province.
With files from Jeff Rogstad
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person in flames outside New York courthouse where Trump trial underway, CNN reports
A person set themselves on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place, according to CNN.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.