SPCA uncovers horror fur farm near Montreal
Anne Caroline Desplanques, QMI Agency
First posted: Thursday, August 14, 2014 01:35 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, August 14, 2014 01:48 PM EDT
The SPCA says 100 foxes and nearly 10,000 mink are slowly dying on a fur farm east of Montreal, devouring each other for food while packed into tiny cages.
The SPCA is building a case against the unnamed breeder in St-Hyacinthe, Que., and QMI Agency has obtained graphic photos and video.
One photo shows feces spilling out of a container attached to a cage stuffed with rodents.
Row after row of small cages line a building on the farm 100 km east of Montreal.
Two mink had the top of their skulls eaten away, and their brains were exposed though they were still alive.
A fox's eyes were full of pus.
"All of the foxes that I have examined, without exception, were dehydrated," said Dr. Sherri Cox, the veterinarian who examined the animals at the SPCA's request on Aug. 4.
"Most had ear and eye infections, and several had growths in their abdomen and various injuries."
Cox believes many of the animals she saw have since died from neglect and that others will die if nothing is done.
The organization requested the province seize the animals.
Alanna Devine of the Montreal SPCA says she thought wildlife protection would seize the animals immediately but said nothing has been done since May.
Dr. Guylaine Seguin, a provincial veterinarian, said the farm owner was given a chance to clean up his act.
She said the breeder complied with urgent requests to water the animals, clean the cages and provide veterinary care.
"As of (Wednesday) I can confirm that everything is resolved," the official insisted.
Devine disagrees, saying conditions have worsened since May.
She adds that the breeder had a previous animal cruelty conviction for operating a puppy mill in the 1990s.
Quebec doesn't require a permit to operate fur farms.
SPCA uncovers horror fur farm near Montreal | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
Anne Caroline Desplanques, QMI Agency
First posted: Thursday, August 14, 2014 01:35 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, August 14, 2014 01:48 PM EDT
The SPCA says 100 foxes and nearly 10,000 mink are slowly dying on a fur farm east of Montreal, devouring each other for food while packed into tiny cages.
The SPCA is building a case against the unnamed breeder in St-Hyacinthe, Que., and QMI Agency has obtained graphic photos and video.
One photo shows feces spilling out of a container attached to a cage stuffed with rodents.
Row after row of small cages line a building on the farm 100 km east of Montreal.
Two mink had the top of their skulls eaten away, and their brains were exposed though they were still alive.
A fox's eyes were full of pus.
"All of the foxes that I have examined, without exception, were dehydrated," said Dr. Sherri Cox, the veterinarian who examined the animals at the SPCA's request on Aug. 4.
"Most had ear and eye infections, and several had growths in their abdomen and various injuries."
Cox believes many of the animals she saw have since died from neglect and that others will die if nothing is done.
The organization requested the province seize the animals.
Alanna Devine of the Montreal SPCA says she thought wildlife protection would seize the animals immediately but said nothing has been done since May.
Dr. Guylaine Seguin, a provincial veterinarian, said the farm owner was given a chance to clean up his act.
She said the breeder complied with urgent requests to water the animals, clean the cages and provide veterinary care.
"As of (Wednesday) I can confirm that everything is resolved," the official insisted.
Devine disagrees, saying conditions have worsened since May.
She adds that the breeder had a previous animal cruelty conviction for operating a puppy mill in the 1990s.
Quebec doesn't require a permit to operate fur farms.
SPCA uncovers horror fur farm near Montreal | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
