Angst and calls for resting places as Surrey, B.C., pet cemetery development continues
A single headstone is all that remains of dozens of markers for long-buried pets in a subdivision in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood, where a half-acre parcel bears a large sign announcing the proposed construction of new homes.
“I have not forgotten you, gentle Piggy,” the headstone reads, with a 1982 date engraved at the bottom of the granite slab. “Rest in peace.”
Surrounded by detached homes, Turnberry Developments wants to build several more houses on the site – despite community opposition and a petition with more than 2,800 signatures – and is offering access for exhumation of interred pets. “No trespassing” signs dot the property, which Turnberry bought in the 1990s, and the company would not agree to an interview.
For weeks, local animal lovers have been advocating for the preservation of the resting place of beloved animal companions, which served as an unofficial pet cemetery for decades. CTV News spoke with someone who paid $325 to bury a pet there more than three decades ago
Among the opponents of the development is Kristin Schumacher, who observed the removal of dozens of headstones this week and is frustrated at what she considers callous desecration of resting places.
None of her companion animals are buried there, but she said the idea of other people’s pets being “dug up, thrown in the back of a dump truck and then dumped in a landfill somewhere … breaks my heart.”
Linda Annis, a Surrey city councillor, says she’s re-visiting a long-abandoned idea of turning the property into a park.
“It's something, certainly, I'm exploring,” she said. “Unfortunately the land was zoned for a subdivision a number of years ago and there was a covenant on this property up until the early 2000s but the covenant has since expired.”
BC Assessment lists the assessed value of the bare land at $953,000.
The province’s foremost animal law specialist says it’s hard to protect land for pet cemeteries, since there’s currently no legislation or regulation to that effect, even if a Good Samaritan made a donation with a covenant that the property be used for that purpose.
“Given the housing situation, or lack thereof in British Columbia, a covenant made specifically for a pet cemetery could potentially be overturned by a court order,” explained Rebeka Breder. “If there's anything that we learn from this is that it shows there's definitely a need for pet cemeteries in this province, a place to go where people know their animal is buried and they can pay their respects.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
The Indian couple killed in a wrong-way police chase crash on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.