The owner of 34 husky dogs taken into BC SPCA care in 2007 pled guilty and was sentenced this week to a 10-year ban on owning animals.
Stacey Lajeunesse of Tumbler Ridge voluntarily surrendered the badly neglected dogs following an investigation by SPCA constables. In total, SPCA officers took 23 puppies, ranging in age from two weeks to three months, and 11 adult dogs into care.
BC SPCA Const. Debbie Goodine, who led the investigation, says there was no evidence of food for the animals on the property.
"The adult dogs were extremely emaciated, scoring only one to one-and-a-half on a body conditioning scale of one to five," she said. "The puppies were also in very poor body condition and were suffering from internal parasites."
The dogs were entangled in heavy chains and there was evidence of psychological distress, such as ground wear from repetitive pacing, she added.
The dogs received extensive veterinary care and rehabilitation while in SPCA custody and were adopted into new homes.
Lajeunesse was also order to pay $841 in restitution to the BC SPCA.
The judge allowed him to keep 12 dogs currently in his custody under the condition that he follow "Mush with Pride" guidelines to ensure adequate care, that he provide proof of ongoing veterinary examinations for the dogs and that he allow BC SPCA inspections with 24 hours notice. Failure to comply with any of these conditions will result in the dogs being removed.
