Highly contagious parvovirus blamed
SPCA investigation into sick puppies from Dunnville grows
More cases of a deadly canine virus are being investigated in puppies sold by a Dunnville breeder.
Georgette Kennels, run by breeder Georgette Landuyt, is the subject of an investigation by the SPCA, as more buyers have come forward alleging they bought sick puppies.
One of the puppies died within a day of going home with its new owner and another is now recuperating following more than $2,000 in veterinarian treatment for parvovirus.
The kennel is on Young Road in Dunnville.
A second pet owner contacted The Spectator Wednesday after reading about how Ashley Webster’s Yorkie pup, Nugget, had to be put down only a day after she purchased it Jan. 31.
In her case, Sue McPherson said she, too, was told by her vet the mixed breed pet she bought for her teenage son Jan. 24 had parvo. She believes Cocoa is only alive because she got her to the vet quickly.
“She’s OK now, but she’s still on medication,” said McPherson, of St. Anns in West Lincoln. “We almost lost her.”
McPherson said she contacted Landuyt after first learning Cocoa was sick and then contacted the SPCA Wednesday when she saw the Spectator story.
In an interview Tuesday, Landuyt insisted “everything was good” at her kennel.
The 86-year-old said she had about 60 dogs in her care and was providing the necessary shots to the puppies herself.
She could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
John Greer, executive director of the Welland SPCA, said an investigator is looking at the case.
“It’s still ongoing, so I can’t comment on an ongoing case,” Greer said. He did, however, confirm he had one more call to his office Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Greer said an investigation could take up to two or three weeks. “If it is parvo, that’s a deadly disease. We would put the entire area in quarantine.”
Greer said his office would like to hear from anyone who has had recent problems with Georgette Kennels. The Welland SPCA can be reached at 1-888-222-0568.
Melissa Carlaw, a spokesperson for the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, said there are no regulations preventing breeders from administering shots themselves.
“If you own the animals, you can administer anything you want.”
By eight weeks, puppies should have received their first set of shots. The typical vaccine is a combination that protects against four canine viruses: distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvo.
Webster, Nugget’s owner, said her vet told her the shots would have been ineffective if given too early.
Webster paid $320 for the seven-week-old pup. She received a refund from the breeder.
While he wasn’t aware of the Dunnville case, Sonny Allinson of the Canadian Kennel Club said a CKC committee is actively looking at the question of who can administer shots.
“It’s something that has been on our radar,” said Allinson.
A meeting of the CKC’s genetics and medical committee was to discuss the topic Wednesday night.
This is the second time Landuyt has come to the attention of the SPCA. In 2003, she was charged after inspectors seized a dozen dogs that were allegedly found outdoors in severe cold without proper shelter. SPCA inspectors eventually seized 25 dogs. The final outcome of that case is not known.