Dogs turned over to Niagara SPCA with severe matting recovering at shelter

It's possibly the third-worst scenario John Greer has seen in his 23-year career dealing with animal welfare cases.

About a week ago, two poodle mixes were brought to Niagara SPCA and Humane Society in horrendous shape. Following the death of their owner, a West Lincoln resident, and turned over by family members, both were suffering from severe matting of their fur.

It was so bad the tangled fur had to be cut with scalpels. The smaller of the two dogs, a male believed to be six to seven years old, was missing its front left paw. Its right paw was dangling" by a thread and only held together by soft tissue, said Greer, executive director of Niagara SPCA and Humane Society.

It was walking on the hocks of its back legs, but is adjusting slowly and seems to be standing better.

We've been getting them out to exercise and we've actually seen a lot of improvements," said Greer about the dogs' life now that they are under the care of his agency.

The other pooch is believed to be as old as 12 years old and is female.

Greer said both have rotten teeth, which makes it difficult to pinpoint ages, but added they will both need extensive dental treatment as well.

A treatment plan is being worked out and surgery will be required for the smaller dog's right paw within the next week or two, once veterinarians on the case go over results from blood work.

The matting caused circulation to be cut off to both the dog's paws.

We're very optimistic on our end," said Greer.

We'll do everything in our power to get them back to good health," said Greer, adding both appear to be lively and playful" since being turned over.

He estimated it could be two months until they are ready for adoption.

Greer said the family members who brought the dogs in were unaware of the conditions they were living in.

It would take months, and months, and months" of living in poor conditions for them to end up in the shape they were in when they were brought to the humane society, he said.

You need to go back a long, long time for this to take place," said Greer, noting he has seen similar" situations in the past, but that this case is one of the most awful.

He estimates the surgery on the smaller, brown dog's paw could cost up to $2,500.

About three years ago, the province became responsible for handling animal cruelty investigations, rather than local humane societies.

The Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act came into effect, meaning the government became responsible for probing cases of animal neglect and abuse.

This situation won't involve charges, Greer said, because their owner is deceased.

But if they were still alive, he said absolutely" a penalty would be given, in his opinion.

There definitely would have been charges laid in this case," said Greer.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the dogs' medical care or the care of the many other animals that come into the SPCA's three shelters in need of help can do so at any shelter location or online at niagaraspca.com.

Niagara SPCA and Humane Society has shelters in Welland, Niagara Falls, and Port Colborne.

Kris Dube is a St. Catharines-based reporter for the Welland Tribune. Reach him via email: kris.dube@niagaradailies.com