Port Alberni man sentenced after shooting neighbour’s dog trapped on his property

A Port Alberni man has been sentenced after admitting to shooting and killing his neighbour’s dog while the animal was trapped and unable to escape.

According to the BC SPCA, Michael Stini pleaded guilty on June 10th on charges of injuring or endangering animals.

The charge stems from an incident on February 23rd, 2023, involving a dog named Stone.

Prior to the incident, Stini had reported concerns to the BC Conservation Officer Service and RCMP about a cougar allegedly attacking livestock on his property.

Conservation officers responded by setting foot-hold traps and instructed Stini not to shoot or kill any animals caught in the traps.

The BC SPCA says conservation officers were already on their way to release Stone after learning the dog had become trapped. However, when they arrived at the property, they found the dog had been shot and killed.

Stone’s body was taken to the BC SPCA’s Port Alberni Community Animal Centre for a necropsy examination. During the investigation, conservation officers also learned that Stone’s family had previously reported the dog missing.

Following an investigation by the BC SPCA’s animal protection team, charges were recommended.

“It is crucial that people fully understand their rights and responsibilities under Provincial and Canadian animal cruelty laws including where those rights and responsibilities end,” said Kaley Pugh, regional manager of cruelty investigations with the BC SPCA.

Pugh noted that while livestock owners are permitted to protect their animals from dogs under certain circumstances, those protections are limited.

“The Livestock Protection Act is clear that the dog has to be running at large and attacking or viciously pursuing the livestock,” she said.

“Stone was immobilized in a foot-hold trap. The investigation revealed that he did not approach the livestock.”

A necropsy determined Stone was in good physical condition and that the trap had not caused significant injuries. The report concluded that the gunshot caused his death instantly or nearly instantly.

“Stone was a valuable family member of our home, he was never aggressive to anything,” the dog’s family said in a statement shared by the BC SPCA.

“He was a gentle soul and loved everyone.”

Following his guilty plea, Stini received a conditional discharge, 12 months of probation, a $2,500 fine and was ordered to pay $250 in restitution.

The court also imposed a $2,500 victim surcharge, which Stini has three years to pay.

The BC SPCA says it conducts approximately 7,000 animal protection investigations each year across the province.