On December 8, 2020 Sherry Elder pleaded guilty in Strathmore Provincial Court to one count under the Animal Protection Act 2(1) of causing animals to be in distress. In February 2020, Alberta SPCA Peace Officers attended a rural property in Wheatland County with a search warrant to inspect the condition of numerous animals potentially in distress. At that time, approximately 65 animals of numerous species were taken into protective custody, including horses, goats, pigs and rabbits.

As part of her sentence Sherry Elder was fined $1,000 and given a 10-year prohibition from owning livestock. The prohibition order gives the Alberta SPCA the right to inspect Ms. Elder’s property, without warrant, for the 10 year period of the prohibition.