Clearwater breeder with 59 dogs pleads guilty to animal cruelty

A woman based in Clearwater pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after investigators found 59 dogs on her property. 

Bonnie Milligan pleaded guilty to causing or permitting an animal to be in distress on Nov. 21, according to a press release from the BC SPCA issued today, Dec. 4. 

Milligan sold someone a dog that was in bad shape in a parking lot in Kamloops last year. The BC SCPA were told about the situation and it decided to investigate. 

Investigators found that Milligan had 59 dogs on her property and she wasn’t caring for them properly. The dogs were living in unsanitary conditions, had medical issues and didn’t have adequate access to shelter or water. 

The dogs were scared since they hadn’t been socialized.

The BC SPCA executed a search warrant on Milligan’s property, took 31 dogs and recommended the animal cruelty charges to Crown counsel for prosecution. 

The court gave Milligan bail conditions stating that she couldn’t have custody or control of more than 15 dogs for non-commercial purposes. 

After her guilty plea, Milligan received 12 months of probation, including a curfew for six months. She isn’t allowed to have custody, control of, or live with more than 15 dogs for companionship. 

All of her dogs need to be seen by a veterinarian during her probation and proof of those visits need to be given to her probation officer. She also needs to allow inspections from the BC SPCA or peace officers for five years. 

Milligan is not allowed to be involved with dogs for commercial reasons including breeding, care, keeping, training, transportation, disposition or sale for 10 years. 

The BC SPCA is asking anyone who is getting a dog to check out the breeder they are buying it from before getting a new four-legged furry friend. 

When certain breeds gain popularity breeders take advantage of the opportunity, and not all breeders care for their animals responsibly. 

The BC SPCA has four tips so people can make sure they aren’t supporting abusive breeders. Don’t buy a pet from anyone who wants to sell it to you anywhere other than the breeding facility. Responsible breeders will let buyers check out the facility and a puppy’s family. The mom should be onsite and there should only be two or three litters at the facility.

Responsible breeders usually ask questions about a buyer’s lifestyle and should be happy to answer any questions about the puppy or its care. 

Every animal, including those up for adoption and their mom, should seem healthy, social and properly cared for.