Animal Cruelty

Court proceedings move forward in Knouff Lake dog shooting case

KAMLOOPS - Court proceedings are underway for a man accused of killing two dogs near Knouff Lake in December 2013. Richard Charles Gerald Benton, born 1969, faced a preliminary inquiry yesterday, Nov. 13 in Kamloops Provincial Court. If lawyers determine there is sufficient evidence to proceed with trial in Kamloops Supreme Court, Benton has elected...

Trial postponed for Armstrong man facing animal cruelty charges

VERNON - The trial of a man accused of mistreating a large herd of horses in Armstrong has been postponed. Gary Roberts, 69, was scheduled to begin a three-day trial in Vernon Provincial Court Monday, Nov. 9 on charges of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, failing to provide necessities, and uttering threats...

Vernon man sentenced on animal cruelty charges will get to keep his dog

VERNON - An unfortunate case of animal cruelty was laid out in Vernon Provincial Court this week, and it wasn’t just sad for the pet. Brian Jacobson, 47, was charged with causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, failing to provide necessities, and causing an animal to be in distress following an SPCA cruelty...

Armstrong horse owner fears for animals being sent to auction

“I HOPE THESE HORSES FIND GENTLE PEOPLE. I HOPE THEY LIVE OUT LONG AND FULL LIVES” ARMSTRONG - The possibility some of his 100 horses may go to slaughter after a court-ordered auction this weekend is not a pleasant thought for Armstrong man Gary Roberts. But that’s the reality the SPCA and the courts have...

Rescuing a horse? Here’s what you’re getting into

“AT THIS POINT, EVERYONE’S THINKING WITH THEIR HEARTS” ARMSTRONG - We’ve seen a lot of generosity and kindness in the weeks following an animal cruelty case, but the SPCA is cautioning people not to let good intentions cloud their judgement. Armstrong man Gary Roberts faces two charges of animal cruelty, and has been court ordered...

100 horses for sale following Armstrong cruelty investigation

"LET'S SAVE THIS THING AND MAKE IT TURN OUT FOR THE GOOD" ARMSTRONG - Homes are being sought for 100 horses in Armstrong following an animal cruelty investigation. The horses belong to Gary Roberts, 69, who faces two counts of animal cruelty charges stemming from a December 2014 B.C. SPCA investigation. Seventeen of Roberts’ horses...

Animal cruelty charges laid against Armstrong horse owner

ARMSTRONG - An Armstrong man is facing criminal charges after animal cruelty investigators seized 16 emaciated horses from his care. Gary Roberts, 69, is charged with causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal and failing to provide necessities for an animal. He also faces one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily...

SPCA seizes emaciated horses from Armstrong farm, recommends charges

ARMSTRONG - The B.C. SPCA has seized 16 horses from a farm in Armstrong and is now recommending animal cruelty charges against the owner. Senior animal protection officer Kathy Woodward says the SPCA, along with the RCMP, executed a warrant at the farm Dec. 11 after receiving tips from the public. Of approximately 117 horses...

Surrendered dog in animal cruelty case stolen from SPCA

PENTICTON - One of the dogs under the care of the SPCA following an animal cruelty investigation in Vernon was stolen Wednesday night. South Okanagan/ Similkameen branch manager Corinne Ross says staff arrived Thursday morning to feed the dogs and realized one of the surrendered carlin pinschers was gone. “Someone had taken wire cutters and...

B.C. SPCA frustrated with dog owners who don’t get it

VANCOUVER – Despite ongoing warnings and a public relations campaign some pet owners just don’t get the simple message; don’t leave your dog inside your car. The phones at B.C. SPCA branches throughout the province have been ringing off the hook with cases of hot dogs needing to be rescued. In June, the SPCA constables...