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 2020, Animal Protection Act prosecutions resulted in 6 convictions. Four cases were withdrawn and 11 cases remains before the courts. The six convictions involved numerous species of animals including horses, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, pigeons, and goats. The sentences included prohibition orders against owning animals in five of the the six convictions.
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
Tyson Schmidt
February 5, 2016Schmidt was found guilty of one charge under the Animal Protection Act for causing or allowing his dog to be in distress. He was fined $650 and is prohibited for 10 years from owning or caring for any animals other than … Read more
Jaleesa Gach
December 23, 2015Gach pleaded guilty to one charge under the Animal Protection Act for causing or allowing her dog to be in distress. She was fined $100 and is prohibited for five years from owning any dogs.
Simon Keusch
November 9, 2015Keusch pleaded guilty to one charge under the Animal Protection Act for causing or allowing llamas to be in distress. He was fined $5,000 and is prohibited for three years from owning or being in charge of any livestock, … Read more
Martin Benedict
October 23, 2015Benedict pleaded guilty to two charges under the Animal Protection Act for causing or allowing horses to be in distress and for failing to provide horses with adequate food and water. He was fined $1,200 and is prohibite … Read more
Dave Bethel
October 23, 2015Bethel pleaded guilty to three charges under the Animal Protection Act for causing or allowing reptiles and amphibians to be in distress, for failing to provide them with adequate food and water, and for failing to treat … Read more
Marlene Douglas
October 15, 2015Active Prohibition Orders
Jenkins, James
October 2, 2023James Jenkins of Strathcona County is prohibited from owing, possessing, controlling, boarding or living at a residence with any animals, with the exception of 20 bovines, for a period of three years. During the term of … Read more
Moore, Patricia Lynn
April 8, 2023On April 8, 2023 a prohibition order imposed by a justice of the Alberta Court of Justice came into effect against Patricia Lynn Moore. The order reads; Patricia Lynn Moore shall be on a lifetime ban from owning, caring … Read more
Bochar, Diana
March 2, 2023Diana Bochar shall not own, possess, control, board, breed or live in a residence with any animal including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, ferrets, or birds, with the exception of two pets that must be licensed, spayed … Read more
Beierbach, Cheyenne
October 4, 2022Cheyenne Fern Beierbach is prohibited from possessing, having custody or control of, or residing in the same residence as an animal for 15 years. Ms. Beierbach is permitted to possess, have custody or control of, and res … Read more
Palmer, Jamie Ann
June 21, 2022Jamie Ann Palmer entered into a common law peace bond on June 21, 2022. As part of the peace bond, Ms. Palmer must keep the peace and be of good behaviour. She shall notify the Alberta SPCA or any peace officer designate … Read more
MacKinnon, Grant D.
May 30, 2022Grant D. MacKinnon has entered into a Common Law Peace Bond, which includes a condition that he not practice equine dentistry in Alberta for a period of one year. The prohibition period is in effect from May 30, 2022 to … Read more
