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 Four cases were withdrawn and 11 cases remains before the courts.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
HEIKEL, Linda
June 22, 2017Linda Heikel is prohibited for life from owning horses. While the prohibition order is in effect for life, Linda Heikel may apply to have the prohibition order reviewed as of June 22, 2027.
SMITH, Richard Jacob
June 22, 2017Richard Jacob Smith is prohibited for life from owning horses. While the prohibition order is in effect for life, Richard Jacob Smith may apply to have the prohibition order reviewed as of June 22, 2027.
BLAKE, Jason
March 24, 2017Jason Blake is prohibited for 10 years from owning or keeping any domestic pets or animals. The prohibition order is in effect from Mar. 24, 2017, to Mar. 24, 2027
KOBUTA, John
February 2, 2017John Kobuta is prohibited for life, without any limitations or exceptions, from the ownership or possession of cats or any other felines. Prohibition order is in effect from Feb. 2, 2017, for life
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.
