A Nanaimo woman has been convicted of animal cruelty after failing to provide adequate veterinary care for a French Bulldog she bred.
On November 26th, Simona Pringle was fined $1,000, sentenced to 40 hours of community service, and prohibited from owning more than three animals for the next year.
The animals in her care must also be spayed or neutered.
The conviction stems from an incident in January 2023, when the BC SPCA received a report from a veterinarian about a severely malnourished and dehydrated French Bulldog named Java.
According to the BC SPCA, Java was also suffering from hypothermia and active seizures upon arrival at the clinic.
According to Pringle, Java had been having multiple seizures over the course of five days and was unable to eat or drink. Despite the dog’s critical condition, Pringle declined the veterinarian’s recommendation for supportive care or euthanasia, choosing to take Java home against medical advice.
The BC SPCA intervened, and Pringle later took Java to another veterinarian to be euthanized. Following an investigation, the BC SPCA’s Animal Protection Officer concluded that Pringle had caused or allowed Java to endure unnecessary distress, in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
“This is a clear reminder to anyone responsible for an animal that you have a legal and ethical duty to ensure the animal is not in distress and to protect that animal from any circumstances that are likely to cause distress,” reminded Eileen Drever, senior officer of protection and stakeholder relations at the BC SPCA.
She also said this case is an important reminder for anyone looking to add a puppy to their home to ensure that they are dealing with a responsible breeder.
For anyone who encounters an animal in distress, whether it be a farm animal, domestic pet, or wildlife, the BC SPCA encourages reporting through their Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722.
