RobBob Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 The Canadian Press (CP) November 6, 2003 EDMONTON (CP) _ Health officials are investigating a local restaurant owner after four skinned canine carcasses were found in his freezer. Edmonton Humane Society constables and environmental health officers removed the carcasses from the Panda Garden restaurant in a north-end strip mall Tuesday. They had been tipped off by strip mall security guards. The restaurant was closed Wednesday and an eviction notice was posted on the front door. Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials said they will perform autopsies on the carcasses to determine whether the animals are dogs or coyotes and whether the meat is infected. Richard Reive, environmental health officer for Capital Health Region, said Wednesday the carcasses are 'uninspected meat.'' He said he tracked down the restaurant's owner Wednesday, but he won't reveal what he said while the matter remains under investigation. The carcasses were found on the floor of the restaurant's walk-in freezer, he said. Two were in black plastic garbage bags, the others were uncovered. 'The issue that I'm dealing with is that it's uninspected meat from an unapproved source,'' Reive said. 'Whether it's a coyote or a woolly mammoth doesn't make much of a difference.'' Dog meat is a delicacy in parts of China and several other countries, including Korea, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam. Bob McClymont, a provincial forensic biologist will perform an autopsy on the carcasses Thursday. Officials suspect the animals are coyotes, but will be conducting tests to confirm the species and the manner in which they died. McClymont said the animals have been gutted in apparent preparation for butchering meat cuts for human consumption. There are no laws preventing restaurants from serving up coyote or dog meat, but it is illegal to import, to export and to transport it across provincial barriers, said Sue Robertson of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Provincial law, however, states that inspectors have to clear all meat being prepared for sale. Public Health Act regulations stipulate that all meat served must be inspected, said Dr. Gerry Predy, medical officer of health for the Capital Health region. 'The issue here is there is no inspection and there is no real process around raising of those animals for food,'' Predy said. City Police spokesman Wes Bellmore said police are investigating a complaint that the restaurant furniture and fittings are missing. The mall is owned by a British Columbia firm. 'The investigator said virtually everything in the store was gone: appliances, tables and chairs,'' said Bellmore. 'Just about anything that could be moved has been moved, plus there was water damage.'' No charges have been laid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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