More than 130 dogs living in poor conditions seized from home north of Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) says it is dealing with an “ongoing crisis” after more than 130 dogs living in unsanitary conditions were seized from a home north of Winnipeg last week.

The province says animal welfare officials executed a search warrant at the property on Thursday, and they found many dogs in distress and in need of medical attention.

The WHS is now providing shelter and care to many of those dogs, though the humane society is not ready to accept foster or adoption applications for them.

More information, photos or videos of the animals cannot be shared, according to the WHS, while the province investigates under the Animal Care Act.

The government says none of the dogs, which are a mix of small breeds of varying ages, had to be euthanized.

“This seizure comes only three months after more than 60 Maltese dogs were brought into the WHS’ care after being removed from a Winnipeg home by Animal Services,” WHS wrote on its website, adding two other large removals followed.

Jessica Miller, the CEO of the Winnipeg Humane Society, says breeders are a big part of the problem.

“We’re seizing a lot of these animals that have nowhere to go, we’re seeing them dumped on the side of the highway because some backyard breeders aren’t selling them,” Miller said.

“This is putting a massive strain on our shelters for financial gain.

“It’s selfish to continue to create animals when the shelter’s bursting. And if people want to help and backyard breeders are to stop, they need to adopt and not shop.”

There has been an intake freeze at the Winnipeg Humane Society since July, with 611 animals currently being cared for by the shelter; 239 of those are in foster homes.

It’s forced the WHS to deal with the animals in a way is isn’t used to.

“We have had to shelter in groups, double cage,” Miller said. “That causes issues with trying to give animals medication and trying to clean kennels that have multiple animals in them. And so it just puts a lot of pressure on the system and forces us to handle animals in ways we don’t want to.”

The WHS says seizures are becoming far too prevalent, more than doubling last year’s total of 256, with 678 animals seized by the province this year alone.

“The WHS is asking the community for donations to help with their immediate care as the organization navigates the ongoing crisis,” the WHS wrote.

“Funds cover support such as medical care, food, and the additional staffing required to ensure the well-being of the large volume of dogs and all the animals in our care.”

–With files from Mitchell Ringos and The Canadian Press