NL

Charge dismissed against dog advocate accused of stealing husky

A theft charge has been dismissed against a Conception Bay South woman accused of stealing a husky.

Crown tells court it has no prospect of convicting Heather Ballard

Heather Ballard has been outspoken about animal rights, such as the living conditions of dogs kept in outdoor pens. (CBC)

A theft charge has been dismissed against a Conception Bay South woman accused of stealing a husky.

In provincial court in St. John's Monday, the Crown said there was no prospect of a conviction, and called no evidence against Heather Ballard.

Ballard, 37, a long-time dog advocate, was charged with theft under $5,000 after a dog named Avalanche went missing from a home in C.B.S. in early 2015.

Avalanche was found about six months after going missing from a home in Conception Bay South in 2015, and reunited with its owner. (Submitted by Candace Crane )

Avalanche was found about six months later and reunited with its owner.

Ballard has volunteered with Beagle Paws — although the organization has said she has not been affiliated with it for three years — and has spoken out about the abuse of dogs.

More recently, Ballard has been involved with Rescue NL, a volunteer animal rescue group set up in May 2015.