This has been bugging me for a while.
- Thread starter wild bill
- Start date
Bill, I do understand how that can happen. But I am attempting to stay on point with this discussion, which involved the LFS that you were referring to in your initial comment. This one: http://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/calgary-pet-store-facing-three-sets-of-animal-cruelty-charges
Did you read that article? It doesn't matter who called in the complaints, or how often, the reality is that when the officers attended the store they found problems, problems that required attention - and it sounds like none was given by the owner. And they didn't just come once, they came on three separate occasions.
The series of events seems pretty clear in my mind, and I don't see this as being targeted, or getting a bad name due to baseless complaints.
“It is very concerning to see a business dedicated to the sale of animals charged once, but to see subsequent charges laid demonstrates either an inability or unwillingness to properly care for their animals. A business claiming to be an expert in the care of exotic animals, to me, has a higher expectation of care than a lay person. Store stock, just like a family pet, has the same legislated protection from deprival of basic needs. Whether medical care eats in to profit margins or not, it is a legal obligation” says Brad Nichols, Senior Manager, Animal Cruelty Investigations with Calgary Humane Society.
Did you read that article? It doesn't matter who called in the complaints, or how often, the reality is that when the officers attended the store they found problems, problems that required attention - and it sounds like none was given by the owner. And they didn't just come once, they came on three separate occasions.
The series of events seems pretty clear in my mind, and I don't see this as being targeted, or getting a bad name due to baseless complaints.
“It is very concerning to see a business dedicated to the sale of animals charged once, but to see subsequent charges laid demonstrates either an inability or unwillingness to properly care for their animals. A business claiming to be an expert in the care of exotic animals, to me, has a higher expectation of care than a lay person. Store stock, just like a family pet, has the same legislated protection from deprival of basic needs. Whether medical care eats in to profit margins or not, it is a legal obligation” says Brad Nichols, Senior Manager, Animal Cruelty Investigations with Calgary Humane Society.
I can not understand why he would keep sick or injured animals in public view. That makes no sense and I don't know the layout of the whole store because I only look at the fish when I am there. If the animals were this bad why did he not euthanise them Niether of us know that. The courts will I guess set that straight. But if he is found innocent the animal rights will never let him alone now. Any story like this is just what they look for and will now start a frenzied attack until he can take no more. As I have stated many times the HS falls into the animal rights grouping but they have been given power by the city. The others are more vocal and some violent. Either way they have gained a bigger voice than they should have for their numbers. Politicians want to appease them because they believe there are more of them than there are and it is now politically correct. Another issue with some of the ones in control is they believe if you do what these groups ask they will quit complaining. You can not please a spoiled brat by giving them every thing they want.
I am not sure if you are aware of how many AR groups there are out there now. But it seems like every where you look there is a new rescue group or group against animal ownership. My guess would be that at least half or more of the complainers were part of a group. Probably 80 percent of the comments made were likely members of some AR group. There is another thread right now about saving a pet or a stranger from drowning. Sadly 60 percnt are saying save the pet I used to think fish [eople were more down to earth. It is like no one knows that man is the only animal born that has to be taught to swim.
I am not sure if you are aware of how many AR groups there are out there now. But it seems like every where you look there is a new rescue group or group against animal ownership. My guess would be that at least half or more of the complainers were part of a group. Probably 80 percent of the comments made were likely members of some AR group. There is another thread right now about saving a pet or a stranger from drowning. Sadly 60 percnt are saying save the pet I used to think fish [eople were more down to earth. It is like no one knows that man is the only animal born that has to be taught to swim.
After reading this thread and others. Looks like this pet store owner is guilty. I searched the reptile forums and there was quite a few complaints on how he takes care of his reptiles including throwing a bearded dragon in a pizza box with a broken femur ( spelling ) and very sickly only for homeless people to find it still alive in the pizza box turning it in. So if you wonder why he has been charged its not because some random animal rights group is picking on him. The evidence is quite clear. Reptile owners are not ones to mess with especially when it comes to proper care of their pets. I spent 3 hours of my time researching to find this . Its quite sad actually . Especially for all of these pets he seems to throw out in the alley to fend for themselves.
I don't understand why people do a lot of things, like not dusting the product on their shelves on a regular basis. I can only assume a lack of concern, or laziness.
I saw this on every visit to this store. Keep in mind that some of that product was supplied by me, so I made note of things like that.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/riverfront-aquariums-Calgary
That doesn't come off like an animal rights activist, Bill. Read some of the other comments in that bog, like the one below:
"I was a long time customer of Riverfront when they were actually on Riverfront Ave. Since their move to the NE I've seen a pretty bad decline in the quality of their store. The premises were very dirty and dusty. They weren't exactly pristine on Riverfront Ave. but they've slid to the point where they are almost unhealthy.
There were rusty razor blades littered everywhere, many of them within the reach of children. The dust, cobwebs, dirt, mildew etc. has taken over their tank area. There is clutter all over the floors and their racks etc. were very rusty.
Their marine selection is nearly non-existent now. There's only a few tanks in the rear of the store with some stock in. Their coral tank was completely empty with the exception of some incredibly dirty live rock. Their fish selection was limited to some gobies, a couple angels, some wrasse etc. Very disappointing. Even their arrowana selection was limited to one specimen, which is what that store used to be known for.
Like I said the store never would have won awards for cleanliness or appearance but now they seemed to have stopped trying all together. The high point was the pregnant woman they had working stopped to ask me if I needed help a couple times. That's rare in Calgary where sales staff generally go out of their way to avoid engaging people. Kudos to her but thumbs down for Riverfront Aquariums. Come on guys! Pick up your socks and get that store whipped into shape!"
That doesn't sound like AR to me, just an honest long time customer/hobbyist.
The world has changed amigo, today social media dominates society where food bloggers will review a restaurant (good or bad) while they are still eating their meal! That is just a small sample of customers in the review above, many of the same complaints about dirty, smelly conditions - and none of them sound like AR, they sound like regular people who keep fish and exotic reptiles.
I am neither judge nor jury here, but from the evidence presented thus far Wayne and his store are not coming out looking like the good guys.
I saw this on every visit to this store. Keep in mind that some of that product was supplied by me, so I made note of things like that.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/riverfront-aquariums-Calgary
That doesn't come off like an animal rights activist, Bill. Read some of the other comments in that bog, like the one below:
"I was a long time customer of Riverfront when they were actually on Riverfront Ave. Since their move to the NE I've seen a pretty bad decline in the quality of their store. The premises were very dirty and dusty. They weren't exactly pristine on Riverfront Ave. but they've slid to the point where they are almost unhealthy.
There were rusty razor blades littered everywhere, many of them within the reach of children. The dust, cobwebs, dirt, mildew etc. has taken over their tank area. There is clutter all over the floors and their racks etc. were very rusty.
Their marine selection is nearly non-existent now. There's only a few tanks in the rear of the store with some stock in. Their coral tank was completely empty with the exception of some incredibly dirty live rock. Their fish selection was limited to some gobies, a couple angels, some wrasse etc. Very disappointing. Even their arrowana selection was limited to one specimen, which is what that store used to be known for.
Like I said the store never would have won awards for cleanliness or appearance but now they seemed to have stopped trying all together. The high point was the pregnant woman they had working stopped to ask me if I needed help a couple times. That's rare in Calgary where sales staff generally go out of their way to avoid engaging people. Kudos to her but thumbs down for Riverfront Aquariums. Come on guys! Pick up your socks and get that store whipped into shape!"
That doesn't sound like AR to me, just an honest long time customer/hobbyist.
The world has changed amigo, today social media dominates society where food bloggers will review a restaurant (good or bad) while they are still eating their meal! That is just a small sample of customers in the review above, many of the same complaints about dirty, smelly conditions - and none of them sound like AR, they sound like regular people who keep fish and exotic reptiles.
I am neither judge nor jury here, but from the evidence presented thus far Wayne and his store are not coming out looking like the good guys.
Well hopefully no one is finding anyone guilty by reading some discussions on the internet. I wish Wayne well, but it's not looking like this is going to have a happy ending for anyone.
In this country your guilty until proven innocent. Sucks but that's the world we live in. Your charged until proven otherwise and sometimes even with evidence justice isn't served.
He should just get a fine and be on with it max.
He should just get a fine and be on with it max.
A HS comment was they would like to get the maximum charge of 200 000 dollars per animal. That is worse than what a drunk driver would get. This topic ate at me some more so I did more research. Why did the HS sieze animals they had no place to home aalso it is a fact moving a severely stressed animal is worse for than leaving them here they are at. Yet our animal experts go ahead and do it any ways hmm. They had no room and had the store closed why not care for the animals there. Maybe that wouldn't be a good media splash. Then again as one comment in the article said this will get them more donations. Almost starting to soundlike the HS broke the very laws they are to uphold. As the law states you are not to put your finacial gain ahead of the wellfare of an animal. But maybe the HS is above the law.
While I most certainly do not agree with how this has all played out, I do not agree with this at all.
This would depend entirely on the situation, and could change from animal to animal, and situation to situation. If the very environment it is in is causing stress, obviously moving the animal would benefit. Such as being kept in an area with inadequate ventilation. Common sense.
Should the store have been shut down, I can't imagine why it needed to be. This does seem over the top to me, but I don't have all the facts at hand, only what I have read, and the second hand info and rumours circulating among the masses.
This would depend entirely on the situation, and could change from animal to animal, and situation to situation. If the very environment it is in is causing stress, obviously moving the animal would benefit. Such as being kept in an area with inadequate ventilation. Common sense.
Should the store have been shut down, I can't imagine why it needed to be. This does seem over the top to me, but I don't have all the facts at hand, only what I have read, and the second hand info and rumours circulating among the masses.
What I don't get or have not read it to be true is that all 333 animals were in distress. Which would mean they could have just taken the animals that were. The HS then would not have to beg for help looking after the siezed animals.
I can't remember if they said ventalation was an issue but is better to care for the animals where they are at than stress them more moving them. That is a huge store some sort of vetalation surely could have been rigged up in short order.
I can't remember if they said ventalation was an issue but is better to care for the animals where they are at than stress them more moving them. That is a huge store some sort of vetalation surely could have been rigged up in short order.
