TUESDAY AUGUST 12, 2014
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PURCHASING DOGS
Buyers beware Local man faces huge vet bill after a purchase AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
Keith Price’s recent purchase from an Errington dog breeder left him with massive veterinary costs he wants others to avoid. “My dog is a Burnese mountain dog-St. Bernard cross,” Price said. “He just turned seven months old and the vet said he will need a new hip in a year to a year-and-a-half.” The operation is expected to cost $6,000 plus travel and at least one stay in Vancouver. “It’s not the money, it’s people like these breeders have to be held accountable for selling crippled dogs to people,” he said, adding that the breeders have an ad on Kijiji with another batch for sale and he said they look like they have the same hip problems, based on the way they’re sitting. When Price called the breeder about covering some of the medical costs or getting some of his $750 purchase price back, he said the breeder hung up on him. Price, who lives in Ladysmith, contacted the SPCA in Nanaimo who told him they would send someone to check on it, but couldn’t say when. Nanaimo SPCA manager Leon Davis said he wasn’t aware of the specific case, pointing out that they do check on breeders and complaints about animal welfare, but it’s done by a separate provincial branch. He said their first contact is usually just a check-up and they can provide information to breeders or pet owners and are there to help. Taking animals away is a last resort and he said they can often resolve situations before that. See SPCA SAYS ADOPT, page A6
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LISSA ALEXANDER PHOTO
COOMBS FAIR: Sinead Strijack, a member of the local 4H Club, feeds her chicken a strawberry at the Coombs Fair on Saturday. For more photos from the event, see page A27 inside today’s edition and visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PQBNews.
MAN ATTACKED IN HIS QUALICUM BEACH HOME
Police say public not in danger JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
A Qualicum Beach resident says he was pepper-sprayed and physically assaulted when a masked man broke into his home early Sunday morning. Chris Rissanen, a 25-year-old who lives on 6th Avenue, is calling the incident a home invasion. Police say members of the public do not need to fear for their safety in relation to this event. “This was definitely not a random act of any nature,” said Oceanside RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman. “We don’t feel there is any risk to the public. Rissanen told The NEWS he could not identify his attacker. He also said five police cars and an ambulance
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came to his home Sunday morning after the alleged attack at 1 a.m. Sunday. Despite the violent nature of the alleged attack, Rissanen also said he doesn’t believe Qualicum Beach residents should be fearful about a similar attack in their homes. “I definitely think it was targeted, for sure,” said Rissanen. “I don’t think the public should be concerned.” Rissanen contacted The NEWS on Monday morning to tell his story. He said he was contacting the media and using social media networks to try to get the alleged attacker identified. “The person was wearing all black, with a white mask,” he said. “When I got sprayed, I couldn’t seen anything
after that. My skin was literally on fire. The best way I can describe it is a sunburn only 10 times worse.” The NEWS asked Risannen why he believed he was targeted. The NEWS also asked Rissanen if he was involved in the drug trade. “I’m not exactly involved,” he said. “But I know people.” Rissanen said he had a “bad lifestyle” as a teen but “ever since I was 19 I’ve been on this positive path.” Police said they brought a canine unit from Courtenay to Qualicum Beach early Sunday morning in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the alleged attacker. Police say the investigation into the incident continues.
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