R v White & Johnston, 2015 BCPC 476

White adopted Bryn from the SPCA in 2013. Approximately one year later he attempted to surrender her for allegedly being aggressive and biting. Mr. White contacted Victoria Animal Services explaining that the dog was aggressive and that he had to ‘subdue’ her with a baseball bat. This call was reported to the SPCA cruelty hot line and Constable’s attempted to contact White to no avail. White showed up at the Victoria SPCA branch with Bryn the following day, she was covered in blood, in her own feces and couldn’t walk. White signed Bryn over to the SPCA and she was immediately rushed to an emergency veterinarian.

White alleged that he had beaten Bryn with a baseball bat for trying to attack him. It was later found out that the beating occurred because Bryn was simply laying on the couch, it took place in front of White’s 10 year old son, and the dog had been left for over 24 hours after the attack laying in her own feces and urine with a broken leg, a cracked skull and was unable to move. Bryn was struck 4-5 times at full force by White who testified to weighing about 200 pounds. The hit with the baseball bat caused Bryn’s skull to split open. The vet made note that bare bone was visible and that Bryn suffered injuries of a fractured right leg as well as some nerve and neurological damage.

The judge found this attack to be violent and entirely unjustified. He noted that it was fortunate for Bryn that she survived and after receiving medical care, was placed in a new home.

White had been convicted of several other Criminal offences including assault against his partner.