Criminal and animal cruelty charges are pending against a couple accused of neglecting and starving their Labrador-cross dog and her seven newborn puppies.
The animals were turned over to the Maple Ridge SPCA this weekend after a group of concerned campers reported seeing the female dog with a heavy chain around her neck at a Lake Errock campground in the Mission-area.
The campers removed a 13-pound chain from the frail dog's neck, which was missing a significant amount of hair where the metal had repeatedly rubbed the skin, the SPCA said.
The dog, named Ruby, was also found to be suffering from a number of open sores and parasites.
"During transport Ruby excreted shreds of fabric she had eaten earlier to stave off her hunger," Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations, told ctvbc.ca.
Investigators determined Ruby had given birth to a litter of pups just six weeks earlier. Four young pups – also emaciated and covered in fleas and parasites – were located at the back of the campground.
Another three puppies given away to campers in the area were seized by an SPCA constable, who told the new owners that the dogs needed medical attention.
Ruby and her puppies are currently in the care of shelter staff at the Abbotsford branch of the SPCA.
