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 Four cases were withdrawn and 11 cases remains before the courts.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
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
Jamie Ann Palmer
June 21, 2022Jamie Ann Palmer pleaded guilty in Provincial Court to causing horses to be in distress under the Animal Protection Act 2(1). Alberta SPCA Peace Officers attended a property in Northeastern Alberta in February 2022. On t … Read more
Patricia Moore
April 8, 2022On April 8, 2022 Patricia Moore was convicted in Stony Plain Provincial Court of four counts of causing horses to be in distress under the Animal Protection Act 2(1). Ms. Moore was charged following a public complaint of … Read more
Dakota Beuerlein
December 23, 2021Dakota Beuerlein was convicted on December 23rd, 2021 of one count under the Animal Protection Act of permitting animals to be in distress 2(1). Mr. Beuerlein is prohibited from owning more than 5 livestock for a period … Read more
Rose Lee Adamsen
July 21, 2021Rose Lee Adamsen admitted in court on July 27, 2021 to causing animals to be in distress. In March 2019, the Alberta SPCA received a public complaint that horses at a trail riding operation west of Rocky Mountain House w … Read more
Bradley Cecil Hoover
June 18, 2021Bradley Cecil Hoover pleaded guilty on June 18, 2021 in Drumheller Provincial Court to one count under the Animal Protection Act 2.1(a) of failing to provide adequate food and water to cattle. Mr. Hoover was fined $2,500 … Read more
Active Prohibition Orders
UPSHAW (PLAYFORD), Mary
December 21, 2016Mary Upshaw is prohibited for life from owning any more than the three dogs and two birds she currently owns. These animals can’t be replaced and she can’t acquire any more animals. Prohibition order is in effect from De … Read more
SPARSHU, Gary
December 13, 2016Gary Sparshu is prohibited for 15 years from owning horses or cattle. Prohibition order is in effect from Dec 13, 2016 to Dec 13, 2031.
BOURDON, Janice
November 9, 2016Janice Bourdon is prohibited for 10 years from owning horses. Prohibition order is in effect from Nov. 9, 2016, to Nov. 9, 2026
JENSEN, Doraine
September 20, 2016Doraine Jensen is prohibited for life from breeding, selling or advertising for sale any domestic dog and from allowing any domestic dog breeding or sales operation to take place on her property. She is also prohibited f … Read more
O’MORROW, Jack
April 25, 2016Jack O’Morrow is prohibited for life from owning or caring for horses. Prohibition order is in effect from Apr. 25, 2016 for life.
SCHMIDT, Tyson
February 5, 2016Tyson Schmidt is prohibited for 10 years from owning or caring for any animals other than the two cats currently living in the house, which must both be spayed. Feb. 5, 2016, to Feb. 5, 2026
