Cruelty charges laid in elderly dog case

The OHS laid charges this week against an Ottawa couple after they allegedly neglected to treat their approximately 19-year-old dog. The animal, a West highland terrier mix (similar to the one pictured), was in such poor health, suffering from an abundance of tumors in its mouth and throat, along with open wounds on its head and a matted, dirty coat, that the OHS veterinarian ordered the dog’s humane euthanasia to relieve its suffering.

Leslie and Margo Laframboise of Ottawa were charged on Aug. XXX with XXX with willfully causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal and for failing to provide adequate care to the same animal. They will be charged with two counts of animal cruelty, and depending on the Crown’s decision, the couple could face maximum penalties of a $10,000 fine and five years in prison. The Laframboises are expected to make their first court appearance on XXX.

This case highlights the need for adequate end of life care for elderly animals. Simply allowing an animal to live out its days naturally is not humane. Read more information on providing end of life care to your animal.

  OHS beyond full

Summer may be nearing its end, but there’s no end in sight to the overcrowding crisis at the OHS. Since the weather turned warm several months ago, we’ve been inundated with cats, small animals and surprisingly, dogs. Currently, we’re operating at nearly double capacity, with more than 400 animals in the building. On top of that, we have more than 300 animals in foster homes, bringing the total number of animals in our care to a staggeringly high sum.

Caring for, feeding and cleaning all these animals puts an enormous strain on staff. It’s incredibly difficult to comprehend the sheer numbers of strays we admit — sometimes 50 per day — as well as process the reasons people abandon or give up their pets. Staff have been working extra long hours to cope with the deluge.

We’ve appreciated the media’s help in publicizing the problem. A front page story in the Ottawa Sun brought many people to the shelter, and BOB-FM launched a campaign highlighting adoptable animals on air. In-house, we’ve started monthly cat promotions to boost adoptions. This month’s theme is “Leo” cats, and select felines will be eligible for a $25 reduction in the adoption fee.

The initiatives are having some effect, but there’s still more to be done. We need our community to become more responsible for its animals and ultimately, open its doors to them to give them new homes.

View animals currently available for adoption!

  OHS on new animal cruelty legislation

On July 24, Inspector Miriam Smith presented to the Ontario Standing Committee on Justice Policy on Bill 50, An Act to amend the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Bill 50 is an overhaul of the 89-year-old Ontario SPCA Act and will widen the definition of animal cruelty and allow investigators to bring more abusers to justice. The bill will also make it an offence to cause or permit distress to an animal, train or allow animals to fight and obstruct an OSPCA inspector or agent. Stiffer penalties and enhanced inspection powers are also part of the new proposed legislation.

Bill 50 has passed second reading and is currently under consideration by the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. The Ontario legislature resumes on Sept. 22.

Read more information on Bill 50.