In the light of the deaths of 14 dogs at a Saskatoon kennel recently, a Yorkton woman is hoping her similar experience with a Saltcoats kennel will lead to changes in the way the Province regulates pet boarding businesses.
In May 2014, Laurie Yaworski returned from vacation to a nightmare. Cathie Newans, the owner of Dalriada Kennels, where Yaworski had been boarding her three Yorkie-crosses, informed her two of the dogs, Steffy and Molly, had been killed by an unknown animal. Charlie, her third pet, also suffered serious injuries in the attack and was returned with a shaved belly and numerous stitches.
Newans had buried the two dead dogs, but Yaworski insisted they be dug up and the remains transported to a veterinarian in Melville.
Yaworski reported the deaths to police and the SPCA, but subsequent investigations turned up no fault on the part of Newans or Dalriada.
Yaworski was not satisfied with that and brought a civil suit against the kennel. The two parties settled out of court in August with Newans agreeing to pay Yaworski $4,000.
It was never about the money, Yaworski said, noting the amount was probably not even enough to cover her costs.
“I just want the public to be aware, so other people can avoid it happening to them,” she said.
Newans said she has taken steps to ensure it does not happen again at her facility, upgrading fencing and adding a concrete barrier around the area where the dogs are kept.
The deaths of 14 dogs at the Playful Paws Pet Center in Saskatoon has brought renewed calls for tighter regulations of pet boarding facilities. Currently, kennel businesses do not require a licence to operate and adherence to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association code of practice is entirely voluntary.
Proponents of regulatory reform would like to see the code of practice become law.
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