New features are coming soon. Login with Facebook to get an early start and help us test them out!
CONVICTED: Was justice served?
more information on voting
When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.
Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "People’s Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isn’t enough.
Case #10820 Rating: 3.4 out of 5
Monday, Mar 27, 2006
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Sharon Chaput
On February 21, 2007 Sharon Chaput, 58, of Sudbury pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sudbury to two counts of failing to provide suitable and adequate care to cats and one dog under the Criminal Code of Canada.
On March 27, 2006 Chaput's landlord contacted the Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District Branch to report a large number of animals abandoned at the apartment rented to Chaput. Ontario SPCA investigators attended the property and found 62 cats with no food or water living in unsanitary conditions. Over a two-day period Ontario SPCA investigators removed all cats from the small apartment. An additional 20 cats and one dog were removed from Chaput's custody when she was later located. Some of the cats suffered various ailments including severe upper respiratory distress, ear mite infestation, and eye deformities. Many were found to be feral (unsocialized) in behaviour.
The Ontario SPCA provided rehabilitation and care to the animals and many were adopted at the Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District Branch. Due to the large number of cats removed, several cats were relocated to the Ontario SPCA Provincial Office in Newmarket for adoption. Sadly, some of the animals were euthanized on the recommendation of a veterinarian due to medical issues related to the animals' unsanitary and overcrowded living conditions and lack of appropriate veterinary care.
Sharon Chaput received a three-year probation during which the Ontario SPCA has residence and property inspection rights, and Chaput cannot have custody or control of any animals, directly or indirectly, nor reside at an address where there are animals. Chaput must surrender any animals currently in her custody and must notify the Ontario SPCA of any changes of address. Chaput was also sentenced to 150 hours of community service, and any assessment or counselling that her probation officer feels appropriate. In addition, Chaput received a two-year prohibition from owning animals to run consecutively to the three year probation order.
"Once again a judge uses two provisions of the Criminal Code to lengthen the period of time that a convicted animal abuser can be prohibited from owning animals," says Hugh Coghill, Ontario SPCA Acting Chief Inspector. "This further demonstrates the need for changes to the animal cruelty sections of the Criminal Code. Currently the Code provides a maximum two-year prohibition from having custody or control of animals."
References