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CITIZEN
Serving the Central Interior since 1916

PRINCE GEORGE

FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2004

$1.00 (HOME DELIVERED: 56 CENTS A DAY)

Shooter confesses to dog attack
by KAREN KWAN Citizen staff Charges are being considered against the person who shot a Great Dane several times last week, leaving him for dead in the woods, an SPCA official said Thursday. "We have located the owners. We have a confession from the shooter and charges are being forwarded to Crown (counsel) through RCMP," said shelter manager Jeannine Woodhouse. Until the investigation is complete, she said she couldn't say whether the dog was shot by one of its owners. The suspect could face criminal charges or charges under the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Tips came pouring into the Crime Stoppers hotline after the SPCA put
Citizen file photo

The albino Great Dane found critically wounded on Cranbrook Hill last week is recovering well.
out a plea last week for information from the public, and one of the leads

led investigators to the dog's owners. The dog, meanwhile, has been placed in a foster home and is recovering well. "He's playing ... His whole attitude has really improved. He's much happier, he's responding a lot better, he's not in so much pain," Woodhouse said. "He's becoming a puppy again." The dog, a one or two-year-old male albino with a white coat and blue eyes, was found lying in the woods behind Cranbrook Hill April 25. He had been shot at least three times with a shotgun in the head, neck and shoulder, and required 70 stitches to close the wounds and other lacerations. SPCA officials believed it was a failed attempt to euthanize the animal. Veterinarians were considering operating to remove the pellet fragments, but have decided not to unless it be-

comes necessary, Woodhouse said. "He's healing up very nicely, so we don't want to disturb that," she said. She said the dog is expected to make a full recovery and there's a good chance the foster family might adopt him. The SPCA is also trying to recoup the cost of the medical treatment from the owners, which is now close to $1,200 but could run as much as $1,600, she said.

SPCA investigating report of dogs beaten with golf club
The SPCA is investigating a report of two dogs being attacked with a golf club this week. According to the dogs' owner, a neighbour struck the animals while

they were in their own yard on Meyer Road on Monday, said SPCA special constable Debbie Goodine. "I guess it's been sort of like a neighbourly dispute going on," she said. The dogs were not injured, she said, although the owner reported they were stiff after the incident. "But it's still not acceptable behaviour even if you're not injuring an animal to hit any dog, especially with a (weapon)," she said. Goodine said she hasn't been able to substantiate the allegations, because she's still trying to speak to someone who is believed to have witnessed the incident as well as the suspect. The SPCA receives about 30 reports a year about animal abuse. Incidents of neglect are more common than physical abuse, Goodine said.

Tax break on B.C. Rail deal criticized
Citizen staff News that CN Rail is getting a multimillion-dollar tax break in the deal to take over B.C. Rail freight operations is further proof the deal is not as good as the provincial government wants taxpayers to believe, say opponents of the deal. "We're subsidizing CN Rail, it doesn't matter how you look at it," said Don Thorne, a B.C. Rail union representative. Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon confirmed Wednesday that CN will not pay the provincial property transfer tax. The NDP estimates the break at $24 million while the government pegs it at $10 million to $12 million. Earl Martz of Prince George and Reform B.C. vice-president, said the latest findings "are just more of the many frills and freebies that are part of this gift-wrapped package." Falcon defended the break as being part of the tradeoffs made while negotiating the deal, which must still win approval from the federal Competition Bureau. "We agreed to absorb the property tax issue and we got (CN) to give on a number of other issues, including the discount for interline shippers," Falcon said.

School wins national award for yearbook
by PAUL STRICKLAND Citizen staff Cedars Christian school has won first place in the Canadian Yearbook Review for its 2003 edition. "This is a very prestigious honour which only a few books in Canada can achieve," said Gerry Goertzen, principal of Cedars Christian School's high school division. "We are quite pleased with our placement." Schools across Canada send yearbooks to a panel of yearbook experts in Alberta. They pay a $100 entry fee and get back a 30-page report evaluating the cover, layout, writing, organization, colour and photography. "They give your yearbook a grade and rank it," said Goertzen, who acts as yearbook adviser at Cedars. The title and theme of the 2003 yearbook, published by Friesen Printers, was Thirsty? It centred on the idea of Christ saying, "Come to me if you are thirsty, and you'll never thirst again," said Jes Gagnon, who was the editor. The first-place ranking was mentioned in the Friesen Printers newsletter, Goertzen added.

Submitted photo

Cedars Christian school yearbook editor Pam Gaunt holds the Canadian Yearbook Review first place certificate along with the school's 2003 edition.
"I think it is a great honour. It's really a remarkable book."

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Entry deadline looming for Drive Free contest
Citizen staff The Prince George Citizen-Northland Dodge Superstore Drive Free for a Year contest is quickly drawing to a close. The contest, which started March 1, finishes at the end of the business day Saturday. You still have a chance to fill out the entry form in The Citizen today and Saturday and deposit it at The Citizen, 150 Brunswick St., Northland Dodge Superstore or any participating merchant. "The response has been absolutely phenomenal, as with all of our contests," said Lu Verticchio, Citizen advertising director. The grand prize is monthly lease payments for a year on a 2004 1500 Dodge Ram four-by-four Quad cab pickup, including taxes, and an insurance allowance of up to $2,500. "This is the second year of our Drive Free contest, and once again the response has been overwhelming," said Colleen Sparrow, reader sales and service director. "We are in week 10 of the contest and encourage everyone to get all their entries in, as the final draw will take place on Wednesday at 5 p.m." David Tingley, president and general manager of Northland Dodge Superstore, said the contest has been highly successful. "We're very pleased," he said. "We've received lots of comments on the truck," Tingley added. "We have it all striped up." Sparrow advised readers to watch The Citizen for its newest contest, Shop Free, beginning July 26. "This 10-week contest will run until Oct. 2 with weekly prizes and a grand prize consisting of $6,000 in Pine Centre gift certificates," she said.

INDEX
Ann Landers . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Business . . . . . . . . . . . .20-22 City, B.C. . . . . . . . . . . .3,5,13 Classified . . . . . . . . . . .29-35 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Coming Events . . . . .2,42,43 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Entertainment . . . . . . .25-27 Horoscope . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Lifestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6,7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-11 World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14,15
Citizen photo by Brent Braaten

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WOODEN BOY -- Erin Lutzer stars as Pinocchio in the John McInnis Drama Club production of Pinocchio at Vanier Hall. Performances run tonight at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 and 7 p.m. at Vanier Hall. Tickets are available at the door.

Happy Mother's Day!
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