Recent Convictions under the Animal Protection Act
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:

Recent Convictions from Alberta SPCA Investigations
Cindy Sorokowski
March 19, 2025On March 19, 2025, Cindy Sorokowski pleaded guilty to two offenses under the Animal Protection Act for failing to ensure animals in her care had appropriate food and water 2.1(a), and failing to provide animals with adeq … Read more
Mathew Ryan Hutchings
April 9, 2024On April 9, 2024, Mathew Ryan Hutchings of Sturgeon County was convicted in Alberta Court of Justice of one count under the Animal Protection Act 2(1) of allowing an animal to be in distress. As part of Hutchings’ senten … Read more
Barry Donald Heinemann
March 1, 2024Barry Donald Heinemann was convicted March 1, 2024 of permitting animals to be in distress under the Animal Protection Act 2(1). As part of Mr. Heinemann’s sentence, he was fined $1,000 and issued a prohibition order. Un … Read more
James Jenkins
October 2, 2023On October 2, 2023, James Jenkins of Strathcona County pleaded guilty to causing distress to cattle. Peace Officers attended Mr. Jenkins property December 22, 2021 after receiving public complaints that animals were in d … Read more
Keagan Darcy Stanley
July 23, 2023Keagan Darcy Stanley of Fort Saskatchewan pleaded guilty in July 2023 to both Animal Protection Act and Criminal Code of Canada charges in relation to the distress of a Shih Tzu named Bella. The charges related to two se … Read more
Diana Bochar
March 2, 2023On March 2, 2023, Diana Bochar of Smoky Lake County pleaded guilty in provincial court to one count of allowing an animal to be in distress under the Animal Protection Act (APA). In October 2022, the Alberta SPCA receive … Read more
Active Prohibition Orders
Sorokowski, Cindy
March 19, 2025Cindy Sorokowski is prohibited for a period of 10 years from owning, possessing, boarding, breeding, having care and control of, or living in a residence with any animal with the exception of one horse and one dog curren … Read more
White, Charles Edward
April 9, 2024Charles Edward White is prohibited from owning, having custody or control of, or residing in the same residence as any animal or bird for lifetime, as of April 9, 2024. *This prohibition was not a result of an Alberta SP … Read more
Joseph, Crystal
April 9, 2024Crystal Joseph is prohibited from owning, having custody or control of, or residing in the same residence as any animal or bird for lifetime, as of April 9, 2024. *This prohibition was not a result of an Alberta SPCA inv … Read more
Hutchings, Mathew Ryan
April 9, 2024Mathew Ryan Hutchings shall not own, possess, control, board or live in a residence with an animal for a period of 5 years. Is order is in effect until April 9, 2029.
Heinemann, Barry Donald
March 1, 2024Barry Donald Heinemann is prohibited from owning, having custody or control of, or residing on the same premises with cattle for a period of 3 years, as of March 1, 2024. Pursuant to the Order, Barry Heinemann agrees to … Read more
Botell, Christopher
February 9, 2024Christopher Bryan Botell is prohibited from owning, having custody or control, or residing in the same residence as any animal for a lifetime.* *This prohibition was not a result of an Alberta SPCA investigation