B.C. woman with history of abusing pets loses appeal over release conditions

VANCOUVER – A 23-year-old woman who a judge says “takes pleasure” from torturing and killing animals has lost an appeal of her probation conditions.

Kayla Bourque pleaded guilty in 2012 to killing and disembowelling her family’s dog and cat and was sentenced to nine months, followed by three years of probation.

A provincial court judge imposed 46 probation conditions, including forbidding her to posses or be around animals.

Bourque did not appeal any of the conditions related to animals, but she objected to conditions ordering her to stay away from minors, keep off the Internet, and obtain approval from her probation officer before starting a new job or education program.

She argued several of her conditions were unfair and would hinder her ability to meet people and integrate back into society.

But a three-judge B.C. Appeal Court panel has largely dismissed Bourque’s appeal, only making slight changes to two conditions to ensure they are less vague.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrectly said the appeal was heard by the B.C. Supreme Court.