Rescue founder calls for better communication on animal-welfare concerns

During that visit, she said she found several other dogs she believed were in distress. She described seeing dogs on short chains, surrounded by feces, with no food or water visible.

Breeze said she documented what she saw, offered resources and support, and notified the First Nation.

Although her rescue does not have a contract with the band, Breeze said she understood there was an informal arrangement for sharing concerns about animals at homes on reserve.

“We have a verbal agreement if I visit a home on the land, then I send them an email follow-up and tell them which address, what my findings were, and I leave it up to their animal control to attend the call and deal with the situation.”

Breeze said she continued sending messages about the property over the following four months. Still concerned about the animals, she contacted the Saskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency (SAEA).

“It was myself and the other local rescue here in town who were both trying to advocate for these animals at that same time,” she said.

Breeze said SAEA visited the property in June and subsequently told her it had found nothing wrong.

larongeNOW has not independently confirmed the findings of that visit or what follow-up, if any, occurred.

Asked about Breeze’s concerns, SAEA said in an email that it does not comment on specific investigations to protect privacy, procedural fairness and investigative integrity.

“Each complaint is assessed objectively, with education and voluntary compliance prioritized where appropriate, and enforcement action taken when legally warranted,” the agency stated.

“Follow-up assessments are conducted when circumstances require them, including when new information is received.”

Breeze said the October call reinforced her desire for closer co-operation when rescue groups raise animal-welfare concerns.

“All I want to see is this leadership here to take our concerns seriously when we visit these addresses and animals are in distress,” she said.

“I want better communication from everybody, so we can work together to help these animals in distress.”

She said her goal is a shared approach to animal care.

“I want to see everybody working together for the betterment of our communities and the care for these animals.”

larongeNOW contacted Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson for comment but had not received a response by publication.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Rescue founder calls for better communication on animal-welfare concerns

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