B.C. woman accused of beating dog that had to be euthanized facing two charges

COURTENAY, B.C. – The SPCA says charges of animal cruelty have been laid against a Vancouver Island woman accused of beating a dog that had to be euthanized.

It says Kylie Nikkels of Courtenay, B.C., will face two charges at a court appearance scheduled for Oct. 20.

The SPCA’s senior animal protection officer in B.C. says the seven-year-old teacup Chihuahua named Bianca belonged to Nikkels’ grandmother.

Tiny Heary says the dog was beaten on April 9 when it was left in a home with Nikkels.

The SPCA says Bianca was later taken to a veterinary clinic suffering from severe hemorrhaging and a crushed skull and chest.

Heary says it’s heartbreaking to think of the pain the little dog would have suffered.