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Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Dog disappears after abuse complaints Trail of Facebook posts: RCMP investigates potential theft as SPCA looks into possible cruelty Ashley Degraaf
News Leader Pictorial
T
Malcolm Chalmers
Lyn Edmonds, a rope rescue team member with Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue hangs off the side of the cliff at Marie Canyon as he brings the rescue basket with mock victim Arin Reim up from the shores of the Cowichan River during an exercise Sunday. For more, see page three.
Duncan’s largest seniors home fires its staff again Sunridge Place sale pending: Total of 264 employees affected by mass termination, wondering about their futures
Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
S
unridge Place employees received termination notices Monday, as the assisted living and complex care facility has been sold. A total of 264 employees are affected, including 124 reliefor part-time positions. Relief employees are not required to be provided with notices under the Employment Standards Act. In the letter that went out to employees,
“the effective date of termination of your employment is June 2, 2014,’’ owner Norm Jones indicated. “As prescribed in the Act, this notice period includes all notice of layoff to which you are entitled pursuant to the collective agreement. “The reason for the group termination is that Sunridge Place has been sold to a third party purchaser. Accordingly, Sunridge Place Limited Partnership and Bundock Management Ltd., doing business as Sunridge Place, will cease to be the employer.’’ A second letter from Jones to all Hospital Employees Union members indicated “as you were advised late last year, I made a decision to sell Sunridge Place.’’ Jones added he concluded the sale Monday to an as-yet unnamed third-party purchaser, effective in June. “The third-party purchaser will be intro-
duced to your collective bargaining agent, the HEU, later this week. I will have no active role with respect to negotiations or decisions made with respect to alterations in terms and conditions of employment.’’ Sunridge Executive Director Laura Griffin referred the News Leader Pictorial to labour lawyer Tim Charron for comment. “As far as we’re aware, Sunridge Place is not closing,’’ said Charron. “It’s going to provide care and services to the residents in complex care and assisted living. “I will be meeting with the union to discuss the sale and any impact on staff later this week. In fairness to the collective bargaining process and the fact the employees are represented by the HEU, I think we should talk to them first before we talk to any third parties.’’ more on page 10
he disappearance of a Duncan dog shortly after allegations of neglect and abuse were widely circulated on Facebook has attracted the attention of the police. The Facebook post began circulating last week showing a pooch surrounded by what appears to be feces and other filth at a residence on Mary Street in Duncan. It was taken down at approximately the same time the dog was reported missing to police Feb. 13. By Sunday, a second Facebook profile had been created, showing the first photo, as well as new photos of the dog, with the caption “I’m safe!” North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Cst. Jon Stuart confirmed Mounties are still firming up details on the case, but are investigating a possible theft and have a person of interest they are pursuing. BC SCPA spokesperson Lorie Chortyk said the organization was aware of the dog’s situation and has an ongoing file on the pet’s owner. “We’ve definitely seen many copies of the (original Facebook) post as well,” Chortyk said in an email to the News Leader Pictorial. “We had already received a complaint and had attended the property before (the photo) was posted. “My understanding is that the dog was taken inside immediately after the first visit and numerous official orders were issued by the constable to change the environment for the dog (we are legally required to give an owner the opportunity to change the situation — if they don’t follow the orders in the time frame given that’s when we can seek a warrant to remove an animal).” BC SPCA constable Tina Heary said that upon the SPCA’s first visit, the owner opted to move the dog inside. When the SPCA stopped by the residence the following day after orders were made to check in, the owner notified the constable the dog was missing. “Since that time, the RCMP has now opened a file with the missing dog,” Heary said. Heary said often it can be hard for the public to come to grips with current provincial legislation, whereas the SPCA doesn’t have the authority to arrive on site and immediately seize a dog. “I know the public supports strong animal cruelty laws, but it’s quite difficult for our investigating officers as well. We’re faced with what we see and we can’t remove.” Stuart said whoever stole the dog could face property theft charges, and it will be up to the SPCA if the dog is returned to the owner. bchonda.com
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