B.C. man whose emaciated dogs were seized loses appeal to have 4 returned

The BC Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) released its decision that quashed the Clearwater man’s appeal after he surrendered two dogs, then had 13 seized the next day.

An Interior man who had several starving dogs seized by the BC SPCA earlier this year won’t be getting them back.

This month, the BC Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) released its decision that quashed Kurtis Elliot’s appeal following a teleconference hearing on Feb. 23.

According to the SPCA, two dogs were surrendered by Elliot on Jan. 9, with six dogs and seven puppies seized the next day. Elliot appealed on Jan. 25, saying he wanted four of the adult dogs back.

However, the industry review board said no to Elliot, adding that he was also found liable for the costs claimed by the BC SPCA in taking care of the seized dogs. That amount totalled $7,608.48.

The report noted that one of the seized adult dogs, Blue, was euthanized two weeks after being surrendered by Elliot.

Not long after seizing the dogs, the SPCA issued a press release, with a spokesperson saying “the condition of these animals was just horrific — many of them were extremely emaciated. It was one of the worst cases I have seen in my 42 years with the BC SPCA.”

The 33-page decision said that Elliot was breeding the dogs for “good money” during the pandemic, but that he “admitted feeling overwhelmed by the number of dogs and puppies in his care. None of the dogs were socialized or train to walk on a lead. He was, however, crate training them.”

The decision noted that “the dogs were all very underweight and had protruding ribs and hips. The two females, in particular, were extremely thin and emaciated and had protruding spines, necks, ribs and hip bones.”