ANIMAL PROTECTION CASES

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY APPEALING FOR INFORMATION IN NEGLECTED DOG CASE Shih Tzu type dog was brought to the animal shelter after allegedly being left inside a garbage bag enclosed in a cardboard box in a parking lot. EDMONTON, AB (November 26, 2018) – The Edmonton Humane Society’s (EHS) Animal Protection Officers are requesting the public’s assistance in an attempt to identify the owner of a neglected dog brought into their care. The Shih Tzu-type dog was admitted to the animal shelter on November 3, 2018, after a Good Samaritan allegedly found the dog tied inside a garbage bag within a closed cardboard box and left in the northeast corner of the Costco parking lot located at 12450 149 Street NW, Edmonton. The dog is male, black and white in colour, and estimated to be five years of age. “The manner in which the dog was left and his condition upon arrival is extremely concerning,” said Peace Officer Bodnarchuk, Supervisor of Animal Protection Services at EHS. “In the entry exam, our medical team noted that his entire body was covered in dense mats tight to the skin, to the point where they were preventing him from defecating. The mats were also caked in urine and feces. Matting to this extent can cause discomfort and damage to the skin and joints, leading to pain. [...]

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY RESPONDS TO SENTENCING IN ANIMAL NEGLECT CASE Justin Iverson pleaded guilty to one charge under the Animal Protection Act after a large number of dogs were seized from a breeding operation by the Edmonton Humane Society EDMONTON, AB (September 12, 2018) – Justin Iverson, 31, of Edmonton was sentenced on Friday, September 7 at the Provincial Court of Alberta after reaching a plea deal to charges laid under the Animal Protection Act of Alberta (APA). He received a $10,000 fine, however, is still able to own up to two dogs, both of which are required to be spayed or neutered. The maximum penalty for charges under the APA is a $20,000 fine and a lifetime ban from having custody of any animal. “In these types of cases we always want to see a lifetime prohibition from owning animals, to prevent the accused from causing harm in the future,” said Miranda Jordan-Smith, CEO of the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS). “We are looking forward to the outcome of the pending criminal case and hope to see a stronger result based on the criminal code.” Iverson was charged with eight counts under the APA in December 2016 by the Edmonton Humane Society’s Animal Protection Officers after they seized 35 dogs from a property in Edmonton on two different dates, and an [...]

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY CHARGES PET STORE OWNER WITH ANIMAL ABANDONMENT Charges follow seizure of large number of animals that took place in February 2018 EDMONTON, AB (August 27, 2018) – On Thursday, August 23, the Edmonton Humane Society’s (EHS) Animal Protection Department laid charges in relation to a seizure of a large number of animals from a pet store located in West Edmonton Mall, which took place earlier this year. Minchaw Menan TOM of Sherwood Park is charged with one count of abandoning animals under section 4.1 of the  Animal Protection Act (APA), and one count of permitting or causing an animal to be in distress under section 2.1 of the APA. “This was one of the largest seizures our Animal Protection Officers have conducted,” said Dan Fryer, Director of Animal Health at the Edmonton Humane Society. “Our Officers worked diligently on this investigation, which was unique in that it involved a pet store and a large number and variety of animals, and we are pleased that they have been able to proceed with charges.” EHS Animal Protection Officers seized the animals on February 27 after receiving a concern they had been abandoned. The animals included small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids and fish. Most of them were adopted at the ‘Clear Our Shelter’ event hosted by EHS in March, which [...]

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY GRANTED OWNERSHIP OF IVERSON DOGS First civil-suit of its kind by EHS gives full ownership of dogs seized in November 2016 EDMONTON, AB (January 4, 2018) – Earlier today, a judge granted the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) full ownership of 34 bully-breed dogs seized in November 2016. EHS filed a civil suit against Justin Iverson in April 2017 for ownership of the dogs, which have been in protective custody with the animal shelter for over a year. The dogs were seized by EHS’ Animal Protection Officers in November 2016 after a complaint was received regarding the conditions of the breeding operation where they were being kept. Iverson was charged with eight counts under the Animal Protection Act (APA) in December 2016, including causing or permitting an animal to be in distress, failure to provide adequate food and water, failure to provide adequate care when wounded or ill, and failure to provide adequate shelter, ventilation and space. Additional charges were also laid under the Criminal Code of Canada by Edmonton Police Services. A separate set of charges was later laid against Iverson by RCMP, after an additional nine dogs were seized from a residence outside of Edmonton. “We are pleased with the judge’s ruling to grant EHS ownership of these dogs” said Miranda Jordan-Smith, Chief Executive Officer. “This case [...]