Although its investigation has not yet wrapped up, the Alberta SPCA will likely not bring forth any charges against a woman who was living in her car with a great Pyrenees dog and two cats.
Although its investigation has not yet wrapped up, the Alberta SPCA will likely not bring forth any charges against a woman who was living in her car with a great Pyrenees dog and two cats.
"At this point, we do not anticipate taking it forward into any legal court situation," said Roland Lines, a spokesman for the SPCA. "The dispute over ownership of the dog at this point is a civil matter and that’s not in our hands. We don’t have concerns for the living conditions of either the dog or the cats at this time."
On Jan. 3, a group of people concerned about the dog’s well-being took the dog from a car where she had been living for roughly two weeks.
The owner of the car, Iris Nunns, said she ended up living in the car with the animals in December because her living arrangements in the Eagle Hill area weren’t working out and a motorhome she intended to drive to B.C. failed a safety inspection.
The people who took the dog said they offered to help Nunns find accommodation in the area and persuaded her to allow them to bring Solei to a veterinarian for assessment and care, although Nunns said she felt pressured into allowing the group to take the dog.
Dr. Curtis Luzi, a veterinarian at the Olds Pioneer Veterinary Centre, examined Solei and found her to be dehydrated and "tremendously underweight."
Nunns said Solei’s condition was the result of her escaping in early December and living for roughly 10 days outside in the extreme cold.
Sundre firefighters rescued Solei from the Red Deer River before Christmas.
The person currently caring for the dog, who has stated she will not return the dog to Nunns and will care for Solei until a veterinarian deems her ready for adoption, did not respond to a request for an interview regarding the SPCA’s comments.
According to a Facebook page entitled "Solei’s Rescue," which was set up by the person currently caring for the dog, Solei underwent surgery in early February and the procedure "wiped out" funds set aside for Solei’s care.
The woman caring for Solei is asking the community for help in continuing Solei’s care and medical treatments.
"Donations made to the Wild Rose Humane Society in care of Solei will reach her caregivers," a post on the site states. "I need to reiterate that I personally have not taken any money for Solei's care, and costs are high, but I have used some donations dropped off at All Your Pets Ltd for purchases directly for Solei. So I humbly ask, if anyone has a few extra bucks, drop by All Your Pets or contact Mayanne at Wild Rose (Humane Society), they will ensure donations get to the vet clinic treating Solei. She is going to need her medi-cal food and further treatments for many many months."
Other posts on the site also indicate Solei has not felt well in recent days and may be battling cancer.
"Sadly Solei is taking a few steps backwards last couple days, she has pica, likely from the tapeworm infestation that won't come 'out’. She's not eating much and is just not feeling well. She won't even eat peanut butter, something she usually never refuses. Were going to follow the strick (sic) instructions from post-surgery care, but any suggestions would be helpful."
Nunns, who told the Olds Albertan an SPCA investigator did come to the home where she is now living in the area to look at the cats, said she was happy to learn of the SPCA’s comments.
"It’s heartening, but I still have to get Solei back," she said, adding she has seen a lawyer and is considering legal action against the people now caring for Solei.
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