Infamous puppy seller fails adult diversion program

Notorious puppy broker Gail Benoit has been dismissed from Nova Scotia’s adult diversion program after she failed to attend any of her appointments.

Benoit arrived at the Digby court house an hour after court began on Monday.

She was summoned to give an update on her progress in an adult diversion program she entered in May.  The program allows people to avoid a criminal conviction if they do community service.

But on Monday the court heard how Benoit missed all of her appointments. She was dismissed from the program.

She explained to the judge that she was dealing with her failed marriage, but he said he was not in court to listen to that.

He asked her to enter a plea. Benoit pleaded guilty to stealing a wallet. She’ll be sentenced in November.

She still faces charges in other courts across Nova Scotia. 

She's charged with fraud, theft under $5,000 and identity fraud in a case involving two dogs she was supposed to be looking after for a New Brunswick woman but which police allege she sold.

She is also charged with abuse.

Benoit is prohibited from buying, selling or giving away any animal.

In January 2009, she was found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty for selling sick and malnourished dogs.