CORNWALL, Ontario – Two Cornwall residents have been convicted of animal cruelty under the Ontario SPCA Act as a result of an investigation into the care of their dog, which was so severely matted that her leg needed to be amputated.
Ken Kuno, 57, and Christine McLeod, 49, were each found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty in a Cornwall Provincial Offences Court on May 23, 2017. They were convicted of permitting distress to an animal and failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical attention.
Kuno and McLeod were sentenced to two years probation and a 10-year prohibition on owning or caring for animals, with the exception of one dog and one cat they currently own. Those animals must be examined by a veterinarian during the probation period. Kuno and McLeod are also subject to random inspections by an Ontario SPCA officer and must provide proof of veterinary care for their animals.
On April 10, 2017, the Ontario SPCA received a report about a badly matted Shih Tzu in severe pain. The officer noted a foul smell coming from the dog, which had a wet, dirty mass of hair covering her left hind leg. A veterinary examination revealed a mat so severe and so tight that the dog’s leg had become infected and was gangrenous. As a result, the leg was surgically amputated at the recommendation of the veterinarian.
The seven-year-old dog was surrendered to the Ontario SPCA and has been adopted into a new home.
“With resources available to help people who are unable to care for their pets, there really is no excuse when it comes to neglecting to care for your animals,” says Bonnie Bishop, Senior Inspector, Ontario SPCA. “If you fail to provide for them, there will be consequences under the law.”
If you see an animal in distress, or suspect animal cruelty, call 310-SPCA (7722) to report it to the Ontario SPCA’s province-wide animal cruelty reporting centre.
