Accused in Alta. dog seizure previously convicted in Sask.

The owner of 201 dogs that were seized in southern Alberta was found guilty in a similar case in Saskatchewan two years ago.

The Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society seized the dogs in what it called one of the worst cases of neglect it had ever seen. The dogs were all found on a rural property in Milk River, southeast of Lethbridge.

Workers said they were starving, dehydrated and had badly matted fur. Some had broken bones, gaping wounds and severe infections. One of the puppies had a broken jaw. Another was missing a leg.

News Talk 650 CKOM has learned that the animals were owned by April Irving.

Irving was found guilty in 2013 under the Animal Protection Act in Saskatchewan.

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On June 4, 2010, animal protection officers seized 82 dogs and puppies from her yard near Foam Lake. She was found guilty of putting animals in distress. A judge found the dogs were deprived of adequate food, water, care and shelter. She was fined $5,000 and not allowed to own more than two dogs in the next 10 years.

Irving testified that she put a great deal of time, thought and energy into preparing meals for her dogs. She argued that the dogs lost weight when they were brought to the SPCA and that she fed them better than the SPCA.

Court documents show Irving testified that “she loved these animals and considered them family.” Irving denied she committed any of the offences she was charged with.

“She argues that she worked long, hard hours to provide adequate food, water, shelter and health care for her dogs and that they were not only adequately cared for but well cared for.”

Court documents show that an animal protection officer that visited Irving’s property on a warrant felt the dogs did not have proper food or water. He saw bones and meat scraps scattered around the property, empty dishes, and scummy and sludgy water in containers.

A veterinarian who visited the site observed that a grey wolfhound dog named Pepper was tied to fuel storage tanks with no water or shelter. Pepper had “difficulty getting up and moving, muscle loss on hind legs, hips creaked, missing teeth, pulp exposure on remaining teeth and rotten, missing one ear.” 

On the day of the seizure, the animal protection officer said Pepper had to be carried out of the house. In the yard he found a bag of organic matter which was crawling with maggots, a dead moose carcass and a foul odour.

On the advice of the veterinarian, Pepper was euthanized and the remainder of the dogs were adopted into new homes.

Irving is appealing the judge’s decision and is expected to appear in court in April.

Since Wednesday’s seizure in Alberta, Irving has filed a statement of claim against the Alberta SPCA, which is now investigating the case.

A spokesperson with the SPCA told News Talk 650 CKOM they expect to lay charges.

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