R v Wiebe, 2017 BCPC 469

Wiebe surrendered his 10 year old Bulldog named Fallen to the Comox SPCA because the dog had allegedly become aggressive. Fallen was immediately transferred to a vet clinic as she appeared to be suffering from severe neglect and medical concerns.
Fallen was examined and was determined to be in critical distress and was euthanized. A necropsy was performed and the results indicated that Fallen had a body score of 1.5/5 – likely due to inadequate nutrition, she suffered from demodectic mange, deep skin and hair follicle infection, chronic inflammation of both corneas and chronic inflammation of the ear canal. The necropsy indicated that these conditions were ongoing and would have caused significant suffering.

Wiebe pled guilty to 9.1(2) of the PCA Act. A person responsible for an animal must not cause or permit the animal to be, or to continue to be, in distress.

This case is significant due to the fact that a cruelty case began after the dog was surrendered to the BC SPCA. This suggests and solidifies the fact that just because one gives up custody of their animal, it does not release the owner of liability if the animal is in distress.