The labradoodle had multiple ailments and infections/SPCA

By Vernon Matters Staff

disturbing case

Rescued dog seemed like it had never seen people before: BC SPCA

Dec 16, 2025 | 5:15 PM

A BC SPCSA representative says the rescue of a dog running loose around West Kelowna’s Old Okanagan Highway and Grizzly Road, could qualify as one of the more extreme instances of neglect they’ve seen.

The four-year-old labradoodle’s condition was so severe that he required to be sedated to be fully examined. It had several ailments and infections and behaved like it had never seen people before.

“He seemingly hasn’t been around people much. He has no idea how to sit and he kept jumping up on me to say hi,” Shannon Paille, centre manager, BC SPCA Kelowna, said in a media release.

“He was so excited to receive attention. Usually when animals come in, they’ve at least had some form of human interaction, but Shaggy acts like he’s seeing people for the first time. With the state that he’s in, I really hope that’s the case. Otherwise, this is one of the more extreme instances of neglect that I’ve seen.”

The dog, which has been named Shaggy, has been suffering from chronic skin and ear infections for some time, along with swollen and inflamed genitals, a yeast infection, possible urinary tract infection, and a possible eye infection due to previous trauma. He also has a perineal hernia.

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The agency said when Petsecure Pet Health Insurance learned about the dog’s story, the company offered to match all medical donations up to $3,000 to help with his care and to help other animals who need urgent medical help.