SPCA urges puppy buyers to research before buying

HEAD: More puppy parvo deaths

SUBHEAD: SPCA urges puppy buyers to research before buying

By Jeanne Whitehead
DIGBY COURIER
NovaNewsNow.com

There have been more parvo puppy deaths in Nova Scotia, and again the pups were bought from Digby County people.

Janet Robinson, who advertised the pups from sale on the internet, says she did not know they were sick.

“And I am not associated with Gail or Dana,” said Robinson.

Puppy brokers Gail Benoit and Dana Bailey of Roxville were in the news for several months this year when puppies sold by them succumbed to the deadly parvovirus. They are currently facing animal cruelty charges stemming from a 2007 seizure from their property.

Amanda Bowser of Dartmouth told the Courier that she responded to a Kijiji posting advertising German Shepherd mix puppies. She subsequently met two young women at Halifax Airport and purchased a puppy. A second was bought by her boyfriend’s brother.

Both pups were dead within days. “The vet told me it was parvovirus,” Bowser told the Courier.
Bowser said she was aware of the publicity this past summer surrounding Gail Benoit and Dana Bailey’s sale of puppies suffering from parvo, and although she understood the seller was from Digby County, she felt safe because she was assured the seller had no connection with the Benoit-Bailey duo.

Robinson replied to the Courier’s inquiry via email, stating, in part: “I was helping find these puppies homes for my 75 year-old sick grandmother and my 7 month pregnant cousin in-law …
“To those people who purchased a dog from my cousin who is a minor, I’m sorry but you will need to contact her or her parents to receive a refund … I put on the ad that I placed that the pups were NOT vet checked and did not have any sort of needles and were not registered.

“… If people are going to point fingers and blame me of intentionally selling sick puppies, I should point out that you knowingly bought puppies that were not checked by a vet and did not have needles. You must assume some responsibility.”

Mary Hill, a member of Nova Scotia SPCA’s board of directors says these recent parvo deaths underscore the fact that prospective pet owners should do research prior to buying a pup.

“And they should never buy an animal from a parking lot or the side of the road,” says Hill.

“Responsible breeders want you to come to them—and they will ask lots of questions about you, because they care about the future welfare of their pups.”

Hill suggests typing the seller’s name into the google search engine, and crosschecking names and addresses.

“A buyer should only purchase a pup that has recently been given a clean bill of health by a vet,” says Hill.

She notes that in Atlantic Canada there are many animals—young and old, including purebreds—that are in need of homes. “We encourage people to adopt from their local SPCA or animal rescue group,” says Hill.

“If you search ‘Maritime Animal Rescue’ on your computer, you’ll be taken to a site that provides links to shelters and rescue facilities in all four Atlantic provinces. Some rescue groups are even breed specific,” says Hill.

Gail Benoit & Dana Bailey Protest

October 11th Gail Benoit Protest Coverage in Digby, Nova Scotia.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg1rAmeayDg

The Court Trial of Gail Benoit & Dana Bailey

Gail Benoit and Dana Bailey arrived at the Digby Court House around 9:30. Dana was soon spotted hanging around the front step with a cigarette in his mouth. Gail was soon spotted accompanying him. They both chain smoked for several minutes until shortly before 10:00 am when they trial began.

First called to the stand was SPCA special constable Nancy Noel. Benoit’s lawyer questioned her right up until noon time. Cst. Noel answered each and every question asked, most related to the seizure of puppies from Benoits house on October 26th 2007. Noel explained the events of October 26th, 2007 where she attempted to serve a search warrant to Benoit, and Benoit slammed the door in her face, screaming and yelling. Noel also explained that RCMP ended up placing Benoit in cuffs because she was so out of control. Noel also explained to the court that the puppies seized were full of worms, underfed, and were infected with coccidia, - However, Dana Bailey later says that the stomachs and anuses of the dogs were protruding because they were overfed. YA RIGHT!

When Cst. Noel referenced the protruding anuses of the puppies taken, Bailey laughed right in the court room. Noel also reported that they puppies were being held in cardboard boxes, chicken wire cages, and one dog run, ALL inside their very dark garage. When Benoit produced a photo of the garage it appeared bright and very light, but Bailey later stated that they had used computer software to lighten the photos.

After lunch Bailey was called to the stand. Bailey sobbed as he recalled the events of October 26, 2007 because at that time his mother was also sick with cancer. Bailey was on his way home from the Kentville hospital when Benoit had the search warrant presented. Bailey did not find out until he got home and saw his beat in door that he realized Benoit had been taken into custody. Bailey, 46 years old stated that he is on CPP and is disabled. He later told the courts that he has a sever haemorrhoid problem, and during a search of his property he requested the RCMP to allow him back into the house so he could continue to soak his haemorrhoids in the bathtub. He then said to the courts “ I had to stick my fingers up my ass to put my haemorrhoids back inside.”

Bailey also stated that they are unable to find a vet that will deal with them and that he is loosing money because people are setting them up. Bailey went on to explain how recently he was lead to believe that a deaf couple wanting to purchase one of his puppies in wolfville. After Benoit and Bailey arrived in wolfville they found the address of the “ deaf couple” and it turned out to be the RCMP so they were had. Bailey says he has wasted a lot of gas and money and he now is going to need a deposit before selling puppies.

After Bailey left the stand, Gail Ruth Benoit 38, took the stand. She informed the court that she is disabled and also on CPP disability. She was then asked how many dogs she has sold in the past 13 years. She reported that she may have sold up to 30,000 pups in the past 13 years. This was a lot more than anyone was expecting. Benoit attempted to paint a rosy picture as she explained to the court about her growing up in Bridgewater and always stopping into the vet’s office when she was a kid. Later her voice grew stronger, louder, and her tone changed. She attempted to tell the SPCA lawyer that he didn’t know what he was talking about.

Gail got her stories mixed up a few times, and in my opinion she was caught in a few lies, but that is up to the judge.

During the morning session, I was constantly given the finger by Benoit and had her say “ Put that on facebook” and other remarks were made towards myself and others.

She had her make up all on and ready to go, almost looked fake or dead. She was expecting media, but media won’t be showing up with their cameras until November 4th when the Trial continues where it left off today.

Benoit and Bailey arrived and drove a white Grand Am, we are not sure if they borrowed it so people wouldn’t tape their car to warn others, or if they got a new one. Either or I’ve photographed it myself and will be posting it..

Should be interesting to see what November 4th brings, but im sure it wont bring any respect or manners on her behalf. What an ignorant, rude, selfish person! She is actually worse in real life …. I encourage people to attend her next trial date and continue to support Cst. Nancy Noel of the SPCA for a great job she is doing. She had to suffer thru 3 hours of BS from Benoit’s lawyer and she fought ever second for the animals. Thank you Nancy.

And just as you said Gail, “Put that on Facebook” I damn well did and have full intentions to continue following your case and updating people online.

Hope this kept everyone in the loop.
Scott W Saunders