On 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 received a public complaint of animals in distress at the rural property. Alberta SPCA Peace Officers found more than 40 dogs on the property along with some livestock. Ms. Bochar was charged with three counts under the APA of allowing an animal to be in distress 2(1), failing to provide medical care to an animal that is sick or wounded 2.1(b), and failing to provide adequate food and water 2.1(a). As part of her sentence for allowing an animal to be in distress, Ms. Bochar was given a prohibition from owning animals for 15 years. The order states Ms. 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 or neutered, for a period of 15 years. She must comply with and allow the Alberta SPCA, or their designate, access to such residence to review the living conditions, and conditions of such animals, and the ability for the Alberta SPCA to remove any excess animals or any animal that is not excess but whom the Alberta SPCA deems to be in distress, without warrant.
Animal Protection
Diana Bochar
Report Animal in Distress
What happens when you Call?
When you call our Animal Distress Line 1-800-455-9003 we open up a file similar to a police investigation. In order to do so, we need timely, first-hand details to proceed.
What Should you Expect
We open up a file similar to a police investigation. In order to do so, we need timely, first-hand details to proceed. When calling, we will ask for a few simple questions.
When Do We Seize Animals
Alberta SPCA Peace Officers sometimes need to take animals into protective custody. When they do so, the officers will post a notice at the former location of the animals stating the reason for the seizure.
Investigating Neglect & Abuse
Our Peace Officers investigate every complaint we receive. We can only investigate if we have reasonable and probable grounds to believe there may have been an offence under the Animal Protection Act.