Montreal, November 11, 2015 – On June 10th 2014, the Montreal SPCA seized 35 dogs, mostly of husky type, in the Lanaudière area. The dogs were seized due to the numerous infractions to the Animal Health Protection Act observed on site, notably relative to the unsanitary and unsafe environment the animals were living in, as well as the obvious lack of veterinary care.
The owners, Mr. Yan Lamothe and Mrs. Johanne Lavallée, finally agreed to surrender all 35 dogs to the Montreal SPCA a few months after the seizure. All the animals were subsequently adopted and are currently living in loving homes, free from mistreatment.
Yesterday, at the Joliette courthouse, Mr. Lamothe and Mrs. Lavallée pleaded guilty to 12 offences in relation to this case. They were sentenced to over $7000 in fines and to a lifelong prohibition on owning more than two sterilized animals.
“We are satisfied with this sentence and applaud the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales’ work in this file” stated Sophie Gaillard, Lawyer and campaigns manager for the Montreal SPCA’s Animal Advocacy Department.
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Media contact: Anita Kapuscinska, Media Relations Coordinator, Montreal SPCA, 514-226-3932, or anitak@spca.com.
About the Montreal SPCA Founded in Montreal in 1869, we were the first humane society in Canada and our mission is to:
- protect animals against negligence, abuse, and exploitation;
- represent their interests and ensure their well-being;
- raise public awareness and help develop compassion for all living beings.
For many years, the Montreal SPCA has been working hard with municipal, provincial and federal governments to improve animal protection laws. In 2014, our inspection service investigated 1,217 new complaints and conducted the inspection of 3,012 animals, all species combined. A total of 101 animals were seized as a result of these investigations and several criminal and penal charges were laid.
For more information about the Montreal SPCA, please visit our website at www.spca.com.
