Surrey woman charged with animal cruelty after 82 animals seized

A Surrey woman has been charged with animal cruelty after BC SPCA seized 82 animals in distress from her breeding and boarding facility.

Some 67 cats, 12 dogs and three puppies were found at the property of Xin (Ivy) Zhou in February, after repeated SPCA investigations.

The cats were mostly Persians and short-haired exotics, said the SPCA. The dogs included four French bulldogs, a Boston terrier, a Pomeranian with puppies, a Chihuahua, a poodle, a Rottweiler, a Doberman, a Jack Russell terrier and a shiba inu.

Some of the animals seized had to be euthanized because of the critical distress they were in, said the SPCA. Others have since been adopted after months of treatment.

If convicted, Zhou could face a $75,000 fine, two years in jail and up to a lifetime ban on owning animals.