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Originally Posted by Ontario SPCA
Smiths Falls Woman recieves house arrest!
Smiths Falls-area woman receives house arrest after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charge involving 80 dogs
SMITHS FALLS, ON. (November 21, 2005) -
Gloria Bennett of Montague Township, near Smiths Falls, pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice, Smiths Falls, on November 18 to the Criminal Code of Canada charge of failing to provide suitable and adequate food and care to 80 retriever-type dogs that were removed from substandard conditions at her Harper Condie Road property in September 2004.
On September 16, 2004 an investigator with the Lanark Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) executed a search warrant at the Bennett residence after investigating complaints from the public. The investigator observed 54 golden retriever-type dogs inside the residence in extremely unsanitary conditions, which included urine and feces soaked floors and walls. They were confined to three rooms, the living room, kitchen and a back room. All of these 54 dogs, as well as three others that were kept in an outside kennel, were removed from the property. The dogs, a combination of adults and puppies, were suffering from parasite infestation, eye and ear infections, severe matting that was encrusted with feces, emaciation and many other ailments.
Investigators returned to the property on September 23 to ensure compliance with an Ontario SPCA Act Order that had been issued at the time of the September 16 visit for the veterinary care of a number of dogs that remained on the property. The remaining 23 dogs - 21 golden retriever-type and two black Labrador-type - were removed because of a hookworm and roundworm infestation.
Living conditions within the kennel had also deteriorated greatly since the removal of the first group of dogs, making it impossible to eliminate the parasite infestation. It was therefore necessary for the dogs' well being to remove them from the environment. The owner was given the opportunity to find another location for the dogs, but was unable to do so.
Of the 80 dogs removed, 65 have been adopted, and, sadly, 16 had to be euthanized due to severe aggression and various serious health conditions.
Justice Stephen March sentenced Gloria Bennett to 90 days house arrest, followed by three years probation and two years prohibition. During each of these consecutive periods she is not allowed to live with, care for or have control of any animal. Ontario SPCA investigators were also granted inspection rights to her property to ensure compliance with the animal prohibition portion of the sentence.
"The public needs to be aware that if they are obtaining a puppy from someone who will not let them see the puppy's parents or the kennel environment, nor let them choose a puppy from observing the whole litter, a huge red flag should go up and they should just walk away and report the incident to their local humane society," says Larry Wilkinson, the Inspector leading the investigation for LAWS. "By obtaining a dog from a disreputable breeder, the cycle of abuse is perpetuated. The best option is to visit one of the many animals shelters across the province where there are lots of wonderful animals waiting for a second chance in a new home."
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