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 Four cases were withdrawn and 11 cases remains before the courts.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
Ryan Keith Smith
August 30, 2016Ryan Keith Smith pleaded guilty to one charge under the Animal Protection Act for causing or allowing cattle to be in distress. He was fined $2,300.
Kevin Fox
July 12, 2016Fox was found guilty under the Animal Protection Act for failing to provide proper care for horses. He was fined $1,000 and is prohibited for two years from having custody of any animals besides possessing no more than o … Read more
Tyra Schamehorn
June 15, 2016Schamehorn was found guilty of three charges under the Animal Protection Act for causing or allowing sheep to be in distress, failing to provide adequate food and water, and failing to treat sickness or injury. She was f … Read more
Charles Munroe
April 18, 2016Charles Munroe was found guilty under the Animal Protection Act for causing injury to a horse. He was fined $2,875.
Lon Edward Murphy
April 15, 2016Murphy was found guilty of two charges under the Animal Protection Act for causing or allowing a dog to be in distress and for failing to provide adequate food and water. He was fined $200.
Gary Beedell
April 8, 2016Beedell pleaded guilty under the Animal Protection Act for causing or allowing dogs to be in distress. He is prohibited for two years from owning or keeping more than three dogs, all of which must be spayed or neutered.
Active Prohibition Orders
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
Moore, Patricia
April 8, 2022Patricia Moore is prohibited for life from owning, caring for, or being in possession of any equine animals. On January 27, 2023 an appeal of the conviction was dismissed in Court of King’s Bench. Ms. Moore has until Apr … Read more