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 Four cases were withdrawn and 11 cases remains before the courts.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
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
VONAU, Brandy
February 5, 2016Brandy Vonau is prohibited for 10 years from owning dogs and from caring for dogs for a period greater than 24 hours. Feb. 5, 2016, to Feb. 5, 2026
BETHEL, Dave
October 23, 2015Dave Bethel is prohibited for 10 years from owning, caring for, or being responsible for any reptiles or amphibians. Oct. 23, 2015, to Oct. 23, 2025
