Case Details
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Case ID: 14384
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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Dog neglected, matted, multiple tumors
Gloucester, ON (CA)

Incident Date: Saturday, Jul 26, 2008

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Leslie Laframboise
» Margo Laframboise

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Two Gloucester residents face animal cruelty charges after a dog was found with matted hair, overgrown nails and multiple tumours inside its mouth and throat before it was euthanized, the Ottawa Humane Society said.

Humane society investigators started a case July 26 after receiving a complaint from a concerned resident.

An official said the dog, which was about 19 years old and a West Highland terrier mix named Tiny, was found to be in "extremely poor health, to the extent that the animal had trouble walking," the humane society said. The animal also appeared to be malnourished and had an open wound on its head, the humane society said.

The dog's owners were ordered to have the animal examined by a veterinarian, according to the humane society.

The official returned to the house on July 27 and was allegedly refused entry.

After receiving an Ontario SPCA warrant, humane society officials removed the animal from the home on July 28 after confirming the dog had not been seen by a vet, the humane society said.

The dog was taken to the humane society shelter, where a staff veterinarian found it was suffering from wounds and inattention to grooming. Masses of tumours in its mouth impeded its ability to eat, the humane society said.

After it was determined that the dog's suffering could not be alleviated, the animal was euthanized.

Leslie and Margo Laframboise, both in their 50s, were charged Friday with two counts of animal cruelty on allegations of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal and failing to provide suitable and adequate care to the animal, according to the humane society.

Depending on the Crown's decision, they could face maximum penalties of a $10,000 fine and five years in prison, the humane society said.

Both residents are expected to appear in court on Sept. 24.


Case Updates

Leslie and Margo Laframboise made the news in 2006, when a terminally ill man accused them and two roommates of being responsible for the death of his dog.

The man had left the animal at home with the couple -- who were his landlords -- and his roommates when he was admitted to hospital. The dog had to be put down about a month later, after it was found with three broken legs, a damaged disc in its back and no control over its bowels.

The Laframboises and one of the roommates disputed the man's claim, saying the dog was in bad shape when it arrived. The Ottawa Humane Society investigated, but found no conclusive evidence and ended their probe the next month.

Now, more than two years later, the Laframboises have found themselves at the centre of another animal-related investigation.

They were charged with animal cruelty yesterday after another dog was removed from their home last month and euthanized.

The dog, Tiny, was found with matted hair, overgrown nails and multiple tumours inside its mouth and throat, the humane society said.

Investigators started a case July 26 after a concerned resident complained.

A humane society official said the dog, a West Highland terrier mix who was about 19, was found to be in "extremely poor health, to the extent that the animal had trouble walking," the organization said. The animal also appeared to be malnourished and had an open wound on its head.

The dog's owners were ordered to have Tiny examined by a veterinarian. On July 27, the official returned to the house and was allegedly refused entry.

After receiving an Ontario SPCA warrant, humane society officials removed Tiny from the home on July 28 after confirming the dog had not been seen by a vet.

The dog was taken to the humane society shelter, where a staff veterinarian found it was suffering from wounds and inattention to grooming. Masses of tumours in its mouth and throat were impeding its ability to eat.

The dog was put down -- the second animal from the townhouse in two years to be euthanized.

In March 2006, the humane society put down Steve Gibson's dog after the man had left his Lhasa Apso at the Gloucester townhouse he shared with the Laframbroises and two other roommates when he was rushed to hospital. Mr. Gibson had various illnesses and was HIV positive. He also had the JC virus, which causes an infection of the brain and spinal cord in people with AIDS.

After his dog was euthanized, Mr. Gibson told the Citizen that when he returned home about a month after he was admitted to hospital, it was to find his dog, Damien, in rough shape. That was when the animal had to be euthanized.

The Laframboises denied Mr. Gibson's claims of negligence and told the Citizen that the dog was in bad health when he arrived at their home.

"I loved that dog just like I love my dog," Mr. Laframboise said at the time.

The humane society did not lay charges in connection with that case.

Investigators have charged the Laframboises, who are both in their 50s, with two counts of animal cruelty on allegations of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal and failing to provide suitable and adequate care to the animal, in relation to the dog that was seized last month and put down.

Depending on the Crown's decision, they could face maximum penalties of a $10,000 fine and five years in prison, the humane society said.

The Laframboises are expected to appear in court on Sept. 24.
Source: Ottawa Citizen - Aug 16, 2008
Update posted on Aug 16, 2008 - 8:29AM 

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