Ragnanan and her partner kept dogs in two sheds on her property, with evidence of distress. An animal protection officer visited the property and forgot to leave a notice of inspection for the absent occupants. The dogs were seized. The trial judge determined that the animal protection officers were entitled to enter and inspect the property and to seize the dogs.
Ragnanan & Nikkel were jointly tried for 8 counts of various breaches under the provincial Animal Care Act. The trial judge found them guilty of 4 counts, and imposed fines for each (Nikkel – $14,000; Ragnanan – $6,000; 5-year animal prohibitions for both).
They appealed the decision to the MBQB (R v Nikkel and Ragnanan, 2013 MBQB 207), where both appeals from convictions and sentences were dismissed.
Ragnanan sought leave to appeal further to the MBCA (Nikkels had passed away). Motion for leave to appeal was dimissed.