If David Chan had learned empathy towards animals when he was younger – this never would have happened
Cruelty charge for Pitt Meadows man
BY TAMARA BALUJA, THE PROVINCE AUGUST 29, 2010
Pitt Meadows resident David Chan has been charged with animal cruelty after he allegedly abused his seven-month-old pekinese, Bosco.
A veterinarian alerted the B.C. SPCA after a man brought the dog to the vet’s clinic suffering from a broken hip and two fractured hind legs. The dog was euthanized at the owner’s request.
“During our investigation we discovered that Chan had taken 11 pekinese dogs to three different clinics on numerous occasions between 2008 and 2010, all suffering from suspicious injuries and ailments,” said Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for the B.C. SPCA.
“Some of the dogs were already deceased from their injuries when he brought them to the clinics, others were suffering from burns, deep cuts, hemorrhages, ulcerated lesions, inflamed ears and eyes, serious fractures and malnutrition.”
Dolly, Chan’s remaining pekinese, was also taken into protective custody on Feb. 16, Moriarty said. There is no word whether she was also abused.
On Aug. 19, the B.C. SPCA received a report that Chan had purchased another pekinese dog and alerted Coquitlam Crown counsel. After Crown advised the SPCA charges had been approved, Chan was immediately arrested, Moriarty said.
Chan’s most recent acquisition, Taffy, was surrendered into SPCA care.
“We are obviously extremely concerned and suspicious of Chan’s history with his animals,” Moriarty said. “At this point we know the charges relate to one of the dogs, Bosco, but are waiting to hear if Crown will include evidence regarding the other dogs in the case.”
Chan is scheduled to appear in Coquitlam court on Sept. 9. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $10,000, up to six months in jail and a prohibition on owning animals for a period of time to be determined by a judge. Under his bail conditions Chan may not own, possess or be alone with any animal.
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