Nova Scotia SPCA caring for 25 pit bulls seized from North Preston pen

RCMP say two men were arrested after a confrontation with police and the SPCA during the seizure of 25 pit bulls that were living in an outdoor pen in North Preston.

Const. Tammy Lobb said a 42-year-old man was arrested at the Alfred Drive property and an 18-year old was arrested after crashing a vehicle into the SPCA van on nearby Lake Major Road.

The teenager is now charged with using the vehicle as a weapon to threaten police, Lobb said.

The 42-year-old is alleged to have assaulted the SPCA officer and police. He is also charged with uttering threats. 

"This is a very serious situation," Lobb said. 

Both incidents happened Saturday morning.

Lobb said the older man remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Dartmouth on Monday morning. She said the younger man has since been released.

No access to shelter

The Nova Scotia SPCA is now caring for the 25 American Staffordshire Terriers, commonly known as pit bulls.

SPCA spokesperson Courtney Zylstra said the dogs, which included several puppies, were housed in extremely unsanitary conditions with no clean up of excrement or protection from the elements. 

Conditions, she said, which can cause dogs to be in distress.

"They didn't seem to have any type of dog homes, or shelter, that would protect them from the heat or cold," she said. 

"They're just as much at risk for going into shock from cold or excessive heat as a small dog." 

Zylstra said a veterinarian examined the dogs, which included several newborns, and "they seemed in good condition considering."

SPCA staff plan to try to rehabilitate the animals in hopes they will eventually be adopted.