SPCA confirms seizure of animals from Airdrie business

The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has confirmed that on Tuesday, December 5, Alberta SPCA officers along with Airdrie Municipal Enforcement and RCMP attended a local business in Airdrie and seized several dogs that are now in the care of the Alberta SPCA.

"As this investigation is ongoing, no other details will be released," wrote Dan Kobe, Director of Communications for the Alberta SPCA in an email. "The Alberta SPCA enforces the Animal Protection Act outside of the cities of Edmonton and Calgary."

The SPCA did not comment on the number of dogs seized or the health conditions the animals were found in.

RCMP confirmed that two individuals were arrested for obstructing peace officers but would not provide further details, saying that the presence of Mounties at the scene was to keep the peace. 

While the SPCA did not confirm the address or the name of the business at which the seizures took place, RCMP confirmed the address that the seizures took place at was EJ Rescue Foundation - 69 East Lake Crescent Northeast (Unit 2).

Though Google lists the business address as Dog "E" Daycare. A Google search confirms that the rescue is located in Dog "E" Daycare.

A screenshot of the Google business listing of EJ Rescue shows that the organization is housed in the Dog E Daycare. (Screenshot dated December 06, 2023)

EJ Rescue is an Airdrie-based organization which classifies itself as a non-profit organization on its social media page. 

"We are a not-for-profit animal rescue committed to doing our best to give dogs in need a better life," its social media page states. 

An eyewitness who asked to remain anonymous described the scene that unfolded yesterday. The eye witness reported that at approximately 1:05 p.m. on Tuesday, they noticed two peace officer vehicles in the parking lot of the business complex, as well as another peace officer vehicle at the back of the building. 

The eyewitness spoke to a peace officer who identified themselves as being a peace officer from the animal protection service unit in Edmonton.

"They told me that they were there was a warrant to search the building and that [the owner of the business] had locked them out; that they had been in the building twice already and [had] seen enough that they needed to look further and [the owner] was disallowing them from entering the building."

A second locksmith arrived at 4 p.m. and officers were able to enter the building.

"When the officers were coming in and out they were getting water. There was a lot of conversation going on about what was happening over there but they honestly weren't allowed to say anything to the people that were watching."

The eyewitness said that on Wednesday one could hear dogs barking in the building. The eyewitness also confirmed that approximately two weeks ago, the pungent smell of urine and feces was overwhelming. While the odour subsided somewhat, the eyewitness said it was still present in the building.

Documents obtained via the Freedom of Information Act (The FOIP Act) by DiscoverAirdrie from The City of Airdrie show that there were multiple complaints from residents about the business in question. Complaints stretch back to 2016 and vary from multiple complaints about odours, and feces being left in a caged area behind the business, to dogs running at large after having jumped over the fenced enclosure. 

This is a developing story. 

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