Recent Convictions under the Animal Protection Act
As a result of their investigations, Alberta SPCA Peace Officers lay charges on average about 18 times a year. Many prosecutions take more than a year to arrive at a verdict.
In 2018, Animal Protection Act prosecutions resulted in 10 convictions. One case was withdrawn and 13 cases remains before the courts. Six of those convictions involved the welfare of horses, one involved dogs, one involved cats, one dealt with cattle and one was related to sheep and goats. Sentences included 6 new prohibition orders in 2018.
The Alberta SPCA maintains a full list of active prohibition orders in our jurisdiction. The list includes links with more detailed descriptions of many of the related investigations.
Here are some of the most recent convictions resulting from Alberta SPCA investigations:
(last updated Apr 29, 2019)
Recent Convictions from Alberta SPCA investigations
Henri (Sean) Barrette
On February 26, 2020 Henri (Sean) Barrette pleaded guilty in Hanna Provincial Court to three charges under the Animal Protection Act (APA) of causing an animal to be in distress 2(1), for failing to provide adequate food and water 2.1(a), and for failing to provide adequate care for an animal that is wounded or ill
April Irving
April Irving was convicted September 30, 2019 of four (4) offenses under the Animal Protection Act for causing distress to dogs. Ms. Irving was first charged after the Alberta SPCA removed more than 200 emaciated dogs from a property in the Milk River area in December 2014 and January 2105. A number of dead dogs
Tammy Thompson
Tammy THOMPSON pleaded guilty in Provincial Court on September 19, 2019 to three charges under the Animal Protection Act for causing horses to be in distress 2(1), for failing to provide adequate food and water 2.1(a), and for failing to provide adequate care when an animal is sick or injured 2.1(b). The Alberta SPCA removed
Thomas Fredrick Smith
On August 1, 2018 the Alberta SPCA received a complaint that a dog had been castrated by someone who did not have a licence to practice veterinary medicine. An Alberta SPCA Peace Officer attended the home near Bentley where the dog’s owner claimed his dog has been castrated by his neighbour. After investigating, the Alberta
Donald Crevels
A southern Alberta man was fined $1,500 after abandoning dozens of chickens inside a makeshift chicken coup in the Municipal District of Foothills. The Alberta SPCA received a complaint in March of 2019 of approximately 50 chickens that had been left in a travel trailer. When an Alberta Peace Officer arrived, he found about 35
Peter and Linda Spahr
Peter Hans SPAHR and Linda C. SPAHR of the Tofield area pleaded guilty on August 21, 2019 in Vegreville Provincial Court to two counts each of causing an animal to be in distress under the Animal Protection Act (APA) 2(1) and for failing to provide veterinary care for an animal that is sick or injured
Active Prohibition Orders
Barrette, Henri (Sean)
Henri (Sean) Barrette is prohibited from owning, possessing, having custody care or control of, or reside in the same premises as horses or cattle for 10 years. Mr. Barrette must permit a Peace Officer, without notice or warrant, during normal business hours, to attend any property Mr. Barrette owns, rents or has control of to
Irving, April
April Irving is prohibited from owning dogs in Alberta for the rest of her life.
THOMPSON, Tammy
Tammy Thompson is prohibited from owning or having joint care or control of more than ten (10) horses for a period of fifteen (15) years. The prohibition order grants the Alberta SPCA authority to attend properties owned or leased by Ms. Thompson, without warrant, for the purpose of inspecting the horses and ensuring compliance with
SPAHR, Peter and Linda
Peter and Linda SPAHR are prohibited from owning or having joint care or custody of more than fourteen (14) horses for a period of fifteen (15) years. The prohibition order grants the Alberta SPCA authority to attend properties owned by the Spahrs, without warrant, to inspect the horses and to ensure compliance with the prohibition order.
SANGHERA, Jagdeep
Jagdeep Sanghera is prohibited from owning, having custody or control of, or living in the same residence as any animal for the period of 10 years. To ensure compliance with the order Sanghera must allow access to his residence during daylight hours by members of Alberta SPCA, Calgary Humane Society, or any Peace Officer with
SCHULTZ, Garnet & Joann
Garnet and Joann Schultz are prohibited for life from owning animals other than one dog. The Schultzs must have a veterinarian confirm the dog is in good health every April. Prohibition is in effect from April 30, 2019 for life.
ANGELL, Tracey
Tracey Angell is prohibited from owning more than four horses for a period of 10 years. As part of the prohibition order, a Peace Officer can attend her property at any reasonable time to inspect the horses, and seize any animals in excess of the prohibition order. The prohibition order is in effect from April
