Animal Abuse: 9 month old puppy starved to death - Ottawa, ON

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Case ID: 17910

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Attorneys/Judges

Prosecutor(s):

Mathew Collins

CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #17910 Rating: 1.8 out of 5

9 month old puppy starved to death
Ottawa, ON (CA)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Madeleine Girard

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

An Ottawa woman, Madeleine Girard, 36, was charged with cruelty after she abandoned a 9-month-old male, pointer-mix dog to suffer without food or water until it died of starvation. She will appear in court on June 9.

On April 20, 2011 the Ottawa Humane Society Emergency Animal Protection Services team received a call from Ottawa Community Housing and executed a search warrant on a Heatherington Avenue unit the next day. Inside the unit, they found the decomposing body of a black and white, pointer-type dog inside front door of the unit.

The dog was emaciated with ribs, vertebrae and hip bones jutting out. The body was removed as evidence and it was subsequently determined that the dog had no fat stores or recognizable food material in his digestive tract other than what appeared to be a pair of discarded jeans he found lying in piles of debris in the unit.

"It's gut wrenching to think of how this young dog suffered, slowly starving to death, waiting at the front door for the owner that never returned," said OHS Inspector Miriam Smith. "Owners must take responsibility for their pets -- it's the law. You must ensure that there is someone looking after your pet if you are unable to do so."

Although legally mandated to enforce the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada and the Ontario SPCA Act, the OHS does not receive any government funding or funding from any animal welfare group to perform this essential work.

Case Updates

The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) is applauding the first-ever jail sentence for charges of animal cruelty under the OSPCA Act.

On Monday, Oct. 3 an Ottawa woman, Madeleine Girard, was sentenced in provincial court to 10 months in jail as well as a lifetime ban from owning or having custody or care of any animal.

She was also ordered to pay $500 restitution to the OHS and must allow unannounced inspections of her residence to ensure she is in compliance with the order.

Prosecutor Mathew Collins sought a sentence of six months in jail and $220 restitution, however, the judge believed the offence supported a more severe sentence.

On April 21, 2011, OHS Rescue and Investigation Services (RIS) officers found the decomposing body of a black and white, pointer-type dog inside the front door of Girard's Heatherington Avenue apartment unit.

Girard was charged under the OSPCA Act with permitting distress to an animal and failing to provide adequate and suitable food and water, resulting in its death.

A necropsy showed the dog was emaciated with ribs, vertebrae and hip bones jutting out. He had no recognizable food material in his digestive tract other than what appeared to be a pair of discarded jeans he scavenged in piles of debris in the unit.

"This dog suffered horribly before it died of starvation," said OHS Inspector Miriam Smith. "This was a horrendous case of neglect and cruelty and we're happy the judge felt the same way and handed out a precedent-setting sentence under the OSCPA Act. It sends a powerful message that irresponsible pet owners will be charged and punished to the full extent of the law."

Despite the toll this type of case can take on OHS officers, every day they continue to investigate cases of animal cruelty, abuse and neglect, lay charges, and testify in court.

"Our team is diligent and will do whatever is needed to protect and obtain justice for those who can't speak for themselves," said Smith.

Although legally mandated to enforce the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada and the Ontario SPCA Act, the OHS does not receive any government funding or funding from any animal welfare group to perform this essential work.

The Ottawa Humane Society is a registered charity founded in 1888. The society works in and with the community to provide leadership in the humane treatment of all animals, to address the causes of animal suffering, to encourage people to take responsibility for their animal companions and to provide care for animals neglected, abused, stray or homeless.

Source: emcbarrhaven.ca - Oct 13, 2011
Update posted on Oct 13, 2011 - 10:07PM

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References

ottawasun.com - May 19, 2011

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9 month old puppy starved to deathOttawa, ON (CA)

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9 month old puppy starved to death
Ottawa, ON (CA)