Crown seeks lifetime animal ban for woman convicted in Battle River neglect case

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Elder argued the offences involved multiple species of animals, neglect over an extended period, missed opportunities to take corrective action, a large number of affected animals and a significant degree of harm, while acknowledging Haudeck’s lack of a prior criminal record as a mitigating factor.

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In addition to the proposed 12-month conditional sentence order, the Crown is seeking a lifetime prohibition preventing Haudeck from owning, having custody or control of, or residing with animals, along with conditions including counselling and community service.

Defence lawyer Eldon Lindgren urged the court to impose a significantly shorter conditional sentence of three to six months and argued against the Crown’s proposed lifetime animal prohibition, suggesting an additional one-year ban would be more appropriate given that Haudeck has effectively already been unable to possess animals for roughly two and a half years.

Defence Lawyer Eldon Lindgren urged he court to impose a significantly shorter conditional sentence 

Lindgren also urged the court to consider Haudeck’s age, financial circumstances and mental health history, telling the court she has a certified disability related to PTSD and has been receiving treatment since 2016.

He argued the case should not be viewed as one involving deliberate cruelty.

“She still has a lot of empathy for animals and cares for them… wasn’t dealing with an intent to be cruel or sadistic at any way,” he said.

He argued a lifetime prohibition would effectively end her ability to continue working in her field.

Haudeck was previously found guilty following a trial stemming from an investigation that began in November 2023 and continued into January 2024 at a rural property in the RM of Battle River.

Animal protection officers seized 34 horses, 11 dogs and six cats during the investigation. A number of the horses were later euthanized.

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During the trial, court heard testimony from animal protection officers and a veterinarian describing animals in varying states of distress, including inadequate food, water and shelter, as well as deteriorating conditions during follow-up visits.

Among the most striking testimony heard at trial came from animal protection officer Kimberley Doig, who described finding a horse frozen to the ground during a January cold snap.

“It wasn’t until we noticed that there was an eye blinking on the horse that we determined that it was indeed still alive,” Doig testified.

Haudeck will learn her fate on July 15.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com