60 Cats Discovered Abandoned In A Vacant Hamilton Home

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60 Cats Discovered Abandoned In A Vacant Hamilton Home

 

For Immediate Release:

 

Hamilton, Ontario: Hamilton\Burlington SPCA Animal Protection

Officers responded to a call on Mohawk Road East in Hamilton where

they found approximately 60 cats, ranging in age from very young

kittens to full grown cats.

 

At the scene, Hamilton\Burlington Animal Protection Officers called

Dr. Michael Mogavero DVM from Mohawk Animal Hospital, who ordered the

removal of the cats from the premises due to their poor physical

conditions. The cats had been left without food and water.

 

Dr. Mogavero stated that the conditions inside the house were, " just

like the worst dump imaginable with four walls around it. "

Hamilton\Burlington Animal Protection Officers Alison Klodnicki and

Amanda Caravan had to wear protective clothing and respirators when

entering the house in an effort to catch the cats.

 

Both officers suffered bites and scratches.

 

The first kitten that was rescued from the house was driven to the

Mohawk Animal Hospital where it died shortly thereafter.

 

The cats that were rescued this afternoon will be brought to the

Hamilton\Burlington SPCA located at 245 Dartnall Road where they will

be accessed and receive the appropriate treatment. Once the cats have

fully recovered, the Hamilton\Burlington SPCA will have the cats and

kittens available for adoption.

 

Due to the stress that the rescue had caused on some of the cats

still inside the house, Dr. Mogavero instructed HBSPCA Animal

Protection Officers to set live traps, leave the necessities for the

cats tonight and return tomorrow morning. The remainder of the cats

will then be rescued and taken to the Hamilton\Burlington SPCA for

treatment.

 

All of the cats are expected to recover. Charges are Pending in this

case.

 

This case is another example of why Bill C-10B: (Amendments to the

Animal Cruelty Provisions of the Criminal Code) must be passed into

law. This fall, Bill C-10B will once again be on the Order Paper.

 

The amendments will provide tougher penalties for those convicted of

willful and unnecessary animal cruelty or neglect, including the

ability to ban offenders from owning animals in the future. Under

these new laws for example, the Vaughan, Ontario puppy mills owners

could be prevented from simply starting up their operation again.

 

The establishment of animal cruelty crimes as hybrid offences, rather

than punishable only as summary conviction offences, provides judges

with broader sentencing discretion. This change, along with moving

animal cruelty offences out of the property crimes section of the

Criminal Code and into a new section, signals a new level of

importance for these crimes. This will be a critical signal to

police, prosecutors and judges to treat such crimes seriously,

particularly for repeat offences and for heinous animal cruelty.

 

Due to our generous community and their on-going support were able to

rescue these cats and provide them with the care and treatment while

on the road to recovery.

 

Members of the community wishing to donate financially please donate

on-line at www.hamiltonspca.com or call us at (905) 574-7722.

 

Rob McConnell, of Communications,

Hamilton\Burlington SPCA,

245 Dartnall Road,

Hamilton, Ontario,

L8W 2V9

(905) 573-7722 Ext. 417

rmcconnell

www.hamiltonspca.com