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July 27, 1986) News 988-2131

SPCA seizes cuckoos, “eockatee!s

LOCAL

Ss

BIRD SHOP owner Danny

ranted.

“One ot those guys (SPCA
members) hates me,.’’ Todesco
said. ‘*He was coming around here
checking all the time, but | think
they are already corry for what
they have done."

Todesco’s Exotic Bird) Em-
porium, [118 East Third, was
raided Wednesday afternoon by a
North Vancouver SPCA_ officer
after the North Vancouver branch
had received several complaints
from people about the poor condi-
tions in which the biros were being
kept.

SPCA superintendent Cameron
Robertson said those complaints
were borne out by the investiga-
lion.

BELOW STANDARDS

“The conditions were well below
standards,”’ Robertson said.
“There was poor lighting and the
ventilation was inadequate. The
birds did not have enough food,
and water provided was soiled."

Robertson added that feces in
the caves were several inches deep,
and sprouts were growing through
the muck.

“Ttowas obvious thar the caves
had net been cleaned in
time.”

Birds seized included cuckoos,
Parakeets, parrots, cannes, fine
ches and cockateels,

Three months prior to Wednes-
day's raid, the bvote Bird) bm-
portum had been checked bs the
SPCA‘S head ottice.
ordered to improve
his bird warchotse

SPOON director at
tions Jobe van der
Tadeseo Had boon waite |
twree before

In addition to other sub
conditions in) Fodyesco’s shop. van
der Hoeven said the bird species
leading fo cannibalism

some

Podesce was

cond ons in

freld apenas
Hoeven
“at deass

sad

standard

were mired,
tithe cures.

Bur Fodeseo, a contractor ind
restaurant owner who bas lived on
the North Shore for 26 years, said
his birds were all in great shape.
The dead birds, he said. belonged
fo a custamer who was boarding
then: at his shop.

Todesco s

y

“They were about 10 vears old.

id Friday the seizure
of 54 exotic birds from his store was ridiculous and unwar-

They died of old ave."

Robertson said the dead birds
have been sent to hibs at
Agriculture Canada to determine
cause of death.

Todesco insists that, though he
is allergic to their feathers, he has
been a bird lover for 40 years.

Several of the birds seized were

his “own specab birds. he saad.
“And TP have hired a person to
look alter all the birds every day.
They are worth around $9,600 to
me. so why wouldn’t | take care of
them?"

Todescw added that he had just
spent $350 to have his bit stock
checked out,

UAWKS FOUL

If his birds aren't returned,
Todesco said he will contact his
lawyer.

Robertson said charges of cruel-
ty to animals could be laid against
Todesco.

The birds, he said, would be
returned pending the outcome of
the SPCA’s investigation.

NEWS photo Stuart Davis

NORTH VANCOUVER SPCA member Cameron Robertson poses with some of the 54 birds that were seized recently from the Exotic Bird
Emporium in North Vancouver. The SPCA were acting on a complaint that the birds were not being properly cared for at the store.

Sees