By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – A local resident who left a dog locked in a bathroom plead guilty to three counts of animal cruelty under the Ontario SPCA Act.
Ashley Labelle has been charged with causing distress to an animal, failing to provide adequate and appropriate food and water, and failing to provide veterinary medical attention.
She was sentenced to a 15-year prohibition from living with, owning or caring for any animal, two years probation, and was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
The Cornwall SPCA received a complaint on July 29 that a six-year-old Papillion/Chihuahua-mix was in very poor physical condition, had no access to food or water, and was missing large amounts of hair.
SPCA officers attended the residence and spoke to Labelle who admitted to living elsewhere and spending very little time with the dog.
The animal was emaciated, covered in fleas, and missing hair on one-third of its body.
Labelle admitted that the dog had a severe flea infestation, had been missing its hair for roughly two months, and had not received any veterinary attention.
She voluntarily surrendered the pooch to the SPCA.
A veterinarian said the dog suffered from a very serious flea infestation, a thin body condition, and chronic inflammation of the skin. Several medications were prescribed.
“The Ontario SPCA reminds pet owners that if you have concerns for the welfare of your animal, there are alternatives other than allowing an animal to go without adequate care,” says Steve Toy, senior inspector at the SPCA.
To report cruelty, call 310-SPCA or e-mail cruelty@ospca.on.ca.
