Nova Scotia animal cruelty cases wind their way courts

There have been a number of animal cruelty cases before Nova Scotia courts lately, but the SPCA says the agency offers support as well as prosecution in situations where a pet owner is overwhelmed.

"We're not just out there to persecute and charge people and take people's animals," said SPCA investigation officer Jo-Anne Landsburg. "We're there to educate, offer support, offer assistance."

In some cases, pet owners find themselves in situations where they can no longer keep their animal. The SPCA can take the animal off their hands, bring it to one of its shelters, give it veterinary care and then place it for adoption.

"We give out food to people, help them with spaying and neutering, so it is something that we do all the time," said Landsburg.

Earlier this month, a Lower Sackville man was given an intermittent jail sentence of 30 days and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution for keeping 19 cats in conditions the SPCA described as "horrific."

The jail sentence was a first in Nova Scotia for the offence. It was also the second time Michael Cairns had been convicted of animal cruelty. He's banned for life from owning animals.

Spate of court cases

It's not the only recent case.

This week, a Kings County man was handed a lifetime prohibition from owning household pets after pleading guilty to a charge under the Animal Protection Act of causing an animal to be in distress.

Leroy Marshall of Welsford had tethered multiple dogs outside with inadequate shelter last January. The SPCA said three were removed and all were emaciated, anemic, severely matted and in extremely poor condition. One even had his chain frozen to the ground and could not stand.

All survived and have now been adopted out after veterinary care and rehabilitation.

Puppy mill

In another case, three animal cruelty charges were laid recently against a Kings County puppy mill operator.

The Burlington woman is accused of failing to provide an adequate source of water to the dogs; confining them in too small a space; unsanitary conditions; and failing to provide adequate exercise. She is due in court Dec. 20.

In September, a Halifax woman was found guilty of failing to provide four cats with adequate food or water; confining them to a small enclosure with unsanitary conditions and failing to provide them with adequate medical attention. 

Dion Connori MacBeth was found guilty after a trial and sentenced Sept. 8 to 18 months probation and a four-year prohibition from owning animals. He was ordered to pay the SPCA $3,192.20 in restitution.

Restitution difficult to collect

In cases where restitution is ordered, Landsburg said few offenders have the means to pay.

"However, we feel the person should still be responsible, so we do encourage the court to set that."

She said it was mostly coincidence that there have been multiple court cases recently, but that people are reporting animal cruelty cases and "we depend on that."