R v Bruce, [1997] YLR 600 (TCYT)

Statute: Criminal Code,
Section:
Province or Territory: Yukon,
Offence: Abuse, Killing,
Animal: Dog,
Type of Distress: Stretched puppy; smashed head and killed
Sentence: Received a two month conditional sentence including (1) an abstain from alcohol clause (2) to take residential alcohol treatment (3) 60 hours of community service (4) a curfew (5) one year probation and finally (6) he was not allowed to have animals during the conditional sentence order
Legal Issue:

A woman called the RCMP for help in Old Crow, Yukon because the accused arrived at her house with a bottle of liquor and a puppy. He was drunk. He poured her a drink and picked up the puppy “stretched the neck and tail to the point where the dog squealed” and threatened the woman “or you will look like this” (if she didn’t accept the drink). She managed to get out of the house under the premise of getting firewood. He told her he would kill the puppy. She called the police. When they arrived they found the puppy burning in the stove. The autopsy revealed he had been killed by a severe blow to the head. The judge commented at page 603 “I do not think there is any culture, here in Old Crow or elsewhere in Canada, that suggests it is acceptable to treat animals in this way….”