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 Four cases were withdrawn and 11 cases remains before the courts.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
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
Karli Sitting Eagle
December 1, 2022Karli Sitting Eagle pleaded guilty to the Animal Protection Act (APA) charge of allowing an animal to be in distress, 2(1) on December 1, 2022. In October of 2021, the Alberta SPCA received a public complaint about a kit … Read more
Cheyenne Beierbach
October 4, 2022On October 4, 2022, Cheyenne Beierbach of Barons, Alberta was convicted in Provincial Court of causing an animal to be in distress under the Animal Protection Act (APA) 2(1). Ms. Beierbach was charged in December 2020 wi … Read more
Colin Edge
September 26, 2022On September 26, 2022, Colin Edge of the Rochester area pleaded guilty to allowing animals to be in distress. The Alberta SPCA received a public complaint in November of 2021 that cattle were potentially in distress due … Read more
Active Prohibition Orders
THOMPSON, Tammy
September 23, 2019Tammy 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 … Read more
SPAHR, Peter and Linda
August 23, 2019Peter 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 pro … Read more
SANGHERA, Jagdeep
July 10, 2019Jagdeep 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 re … Read more
SCHULTZ, Garnet & Joann
April 30, 2019Garnet 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 f … Read more
ANGELL, Tracey
April 3, 2019Tracey 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 an … Read more
AYAGHCHI, Ashley
February 15, 2019Ashley Ayaghchi is prohibited from owning livestock for a period of 5 years. Prohibition order is in effect from Feb 15, 2019 to Feb 15, 2024
