On January 15, 2015, Brandon Wilson, of Cornwall, Ontario, pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty under the Ontario SPCA Act after abandoning a six-month-old puppy in his apartment after he moved.
The charges included:
- Causing an animal to be in distress
- Failing to provide adequate and appropriate food and water
- Failing to provide the care necessary for its general welfare
On August 7, 2014, the Ontario SPCA received a report regarding a dog that had been abandoned in Mr. Wilson’s apartment when he moved out.
Two of Mr. Wilson’s roommates stated they had been evicted and had left the apartment on August 1, 2014, but that Mr. Wilson left behind his six-month-old dog named Marley and that the dog had no access to food or water and was hiding in the clothes dryer.
An Ontario SPCA Officer arrived at Mr. Wilson’s residence and spoke to the maintenance worker who confirmed the tenants were evicted from the apartment. The maintenance worker then entered the apartment and located the dog hiding inside the clothes dryer. It was noted that there was no access to food, the apartment was in disarray, and the dog was very frightened.
The Ontario SPCA Officer provided a leash to the maintenance worker, and the dog was removed from the apartment. The dog was very fearful, thin, had several bald spots caused from rubbing and had very dirty ears. Mr. Wilson was located by the Ontario SPCA and he admitted to owning the dog. He was living with his girlfriend, and had obtained a new dog.
Mr. Wilson was sentenced and received a lifetime prohibition from living with, caring for or owning any animals and two-years probation. He was also ordered to surrender the new dog in his care to the Ontario SPCA immediately and pay $210 in restitution to the Ontario SPCA. He was also fined $500. The Ontario SPCA was given access to Mr. Wilson’s property to determine compliance.
“Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Ontario SPCA Act and Criminal Code of Canada,” says Steve Toy, Senior Inspector. “There’s no reason for an animal to ever be abandoned, please contact your local Ontario SPCA or Humane Society for options.”
After several months of rehabilitation the dog made a full recovery and was adopted to a loving family.
Thank you for forbidding him from every owning or living with another animal ever again. Hopefully this will be checked on frequently by the authorities. He is a disgrace to mankind.
Gotta love a happy ending!
Hopefully the “lifetime ban” IS ENFORCED!
One question….how is this ban enforced?
Pretty much impossible to enforce the ban once his probation is over, unless someone reports that he’s broken it.