THURSDAYOCTOBER 17, 2013
Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
www.pqbnews.com
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STUDENT INITIATIVE
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A21
LIVESTOCK KILLED
Pit bulls attacking
Sheep slaughtered in Hilliers; fear for children JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
Five sheep are dead and three others — pregnant ewes due to deliver in three weeks — are fighting for their lives after allegedly being attacked by a pack of marauding pit bulls in Hilliers last week. The owner of the sheep is concerned children in the area are also at risk of attack. One of the dead sheep — its name was Shirley — was raised as a pet by Amber Dawes’ son Taylor. The dogs, who live across the Alberni Highway from the Dawes farm, killed Shirley and four other sheep on Thursday, Taylor’s seventh birthday. “They (the dogs) killed her on his birthday,” said Dawes. “They ripped her apart — she was the first to go.” Dawes offered some photos of the carnage, but The NEWS determined they were too graphic for these pages. “They (the dogs) chased them (the sheep) through the field and left a string of bodies,” said Dawes. “These dogs need to be put down.” Dawes said she has been in contact with Oceanside RCMP, the SPCA and animal control. She also said this isn’t the first time dogs have come on to her property and attacked her animals. A number of quail were killed by dogs a few months ago. “They (the quail) were my kids’ pets,” she said. “They (the dogs) had to chew through heavy-duty plastic to get to them (the quail).” Dawes said she was under the impression the federal Livestock Protection Act allows for domestic farm animal owners to shoot dogs who come on to their property and are attacking their livestock. See POLICE AND RDN, page A4
LISSA ALEXANDER PHOTO
PUMPKIN TIME: Indiana Blackwell enjoyed a day at Silver Meadows Farm in Errington during the sunny Thanksgiving long weekend.
OCEANSIDE HEALTH CENTRE
Wait-time complaints mounting The new facility also has a new director only four months after opening JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Less than four months after its official opening, the Oceanside Health Centre has a new person at the top of its organizational chart. And judging by the calls and anec-
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dotes shared by readers relating their experiences at the health centre, Sujata Connors has a lot of work ahead of her. Connors recently became the director of the OHC, taking over for Sheila Cruikshank, who has retired, according to Island Health. Cruikshank, a Parksville resident, held a number of positions in Island Health before becoming the OHC’s director, including time as the vice-president
of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox. Connors, who has a background in nursing, comes to the OHC from Island Health’s Seniors and Spiritual Health program. She arrives at her desk at what seems to be a trying time for the new facility, which Island Health says is seeing 62-72 patients a day in the urgent care clinic, which opened Sept. 16. See SECOND PHYSICIAN, page A7
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