Cornwall Residents Plead Guilty to Three Counts of Animal Cruelty

CORNWALL, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 24, 2015) - On March 31, 2015, Patricia Lepine and Brian Quesnel of Cornwall, Ontario, pled guilty to three counts of animal cruelty under the Ontario SPCA Act.

The charges included:

• Failing to provide necessary care for an animal's general welfare
• Permitting distress to an animal
• Failing to provide veterinary care

On February 25, 2015, the Ontario SPCA received a telephone call from Patricia Lepine who stated that her female Shepherd/Labrador cross named "Baby" had been sick for the last three months. She had lost approximately 20 pounds, had blood in her urine and an unusual discharge.

An Ontario SPCA Officer arrived and found the female dog to be lethargic, emaciated and had discharge from its vulva area. An Ontario SPCA compliance order was issued to have the animal examined by a veterinarian. The owner was unable to comply with this order and as a result Baby was removed from Lepine's care.

Baby was immediately taken to a veterinarian where she was found to be emaciated with pus draining from her vulva, indicating an open pyometra, a life threatening condition. The dog's abdomen was distended as well. Blood results showed a serious protein deficiency, anemia, low thyroid level and serious infection. X-rays showed a large mass in Baby's abdomen and a bridging of the lumbar and sacral vertebrae which would lead to a lifetime of mobility problems. The veterinarian felt that Baby was a poor surgical risk and recommended that the most humane treatment was euthanasia. In her written report, the veterinarian stated that Baby's condition was a result of serious neglect.

Lepine and Quesnel both were sentenced to two years probation, 10 years prohibition from owning animals, a $50.00 fine each and both ordered to pay half of the $650.11 in restitution to the Ontario SPCA. The courts also ordered that a cat and another dog in their care be surrendered to the Ontario SPCA.

"There is no excuse to let an animal go without proper veterinary medical attention," says Steve Toy, Senior Inspector. "If you are unable to care for your animal, contact your Ontario SPCA Community Society to discuss what options are available."

To report cruelty please call 310-SPCA or email your concern to cruelty@ospca.on.ca.

Ontario SPCA and Humane Society:

Protecting animals since 1873, Ontario SPCA is Ontario's Animal Welfare organization. A registered charity comprised of over 50 Communities.

Since 1919, when Ontario's first Animal Welfare legislation was proclaimed, the Ontario SPCA, with the help of its Communities, has been entrusted to maintain and enforce Animal Welfare legislation. The Act provides Ontario SPCA Agents and Inspectors with police powers to do so.

Ontario SPCA provides leadership in animal welfare innovations including introducing high-volume spay/neuter services to Ontario and opening the Provincial Education and Animal Centre.

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