SPCA staff shocked by dropped animal abuse charges

On Thursday, Prince Albert SPCA staff went to court expecting a trial for animal abuse. Instead they were shocked to find out the charges against the accused had been dropped the previous week.

Ryan Funk was charged with unnecessary cruelty to an animal after the SPCA received a report a dog died in June of 2013. He was released from custody after that.

The dog was a miniature Schnauzer, according to Leanne Roberts, the SPCA’s director of operations.

“His name was Floyd, it wasn’t just an animal, he had a name,” she said.

Two of the SPCA’s staff received subpoenas for a trial scheduled for Nov. 13, however when they arrived they learned the charges were withdrawn by the Crown prosecutor on Nov. 4.

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The SPCA’s animal protection officers and the RCMP both investigated the allegations last year.

“We worked really hard to ensure we had a strong case against him [Funk] and we’re disappointed that they didn’t let us know that the trial date had been bumped up,” Roberts said.

Floyd was involved with the SPCA in the past, and Roberts described him as “a sweet little fellow.”

The case had an impact on all the staff at the SPCA, including those who went to every court appearance Funk faced, she explained. “We wanted justice for Floyd and I think at the very least it should have gone to trial, all the evidence presented and then let a judge decide. Not a couple of lawyers.”

“It’s really disheartened us. We deal with this kind of stuff on a daily basis and we really hoped in this instance that justice could have been served. But once again, Saskatchewan has some of the weakest animal welfare laws in the country,” she added.

“Another dog has died and no one will be paying any consequences.”

The details of how the dog died have not been released and the SPCA won’t comment on cases that have been before the courts without going to trial or for plea.

 The Crown prosecutor, Michael Pilon and Funk’s representation, Greg Chovin, could not be reached for comment on what led to the stay of charges before publication.

paNOW has calls in with the Prince Albert RCMP for comment.

claskowski@panow.com

On Twitter: @chelsealaskowsk