February 9, 2026Clearwater resident Kurtis Elliot has had his conditional sentence order terminated after failing to comply with the terms of his sentence.  Elliot was found guilty of animal cruelty in May 2025 after the BC SPCA removed 15 dogs and puppies from his property. The animals were discovered to be living in distress amongst built-up feces, suffering from frostbite due to being kept outdoors in subzero …
Continue reading “Man convicted of animal cruelty sent to jail after breaching conditions “
News Category: Animal cruelty
January 27, 2026Warning: some readers might find this content distressing. On January 16, BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot received a call from a concerned community member who found a black lab cross type dog with severe injuries tied to a trailer in his yard. He appeared to have wounds on his head and mouth. The team rushed to rescue …
Continue reading “BC SPCA seeks public assistance to identify dog found abandoned, injured in Port Alberni”
News Category: Animal cruelty, Ways to help
December 4, 2025On November 21, Bonnie Milligan, a breeder based in Clearwater, plead guilty to animal cruelty charges contrary to section 9.1 (2) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act for causing or permitting an animal to be in distress. Early last year, the BC SPCA investigated complaints of animal cruelty after an individual purchased a dog in concerning condition from Milligan in a parking lot in Kamloops. During the investigation, …
Continue reading “Clearwater breeder convicted of animal cruelty charges”
News Category: Animal cruelty
November 24, 2025On November 12, 2025, in provincial court in Vernon, Sandra Nickolls entered a guilty plea to causing animals to be in distress, contrary to section 24(1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA). In April 2024, the BC SPCA was called to investigate what appeared to be an injured horse on a property …
Continue reading “Owner of horses in distress pleads guilty, receiving 15-year ban on owning animals “
News Category: Animal cruelty
November 22, 2025On November 21, a breeder in Clearwater plead guilty to animal cruelty charges contrary to section 9.1 (2) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act for causing or permitting an animal to be in distress. Following her guilty plea, Milligan received 12 months’ probation, including a curfew for a period of six months. Milligan may not own, have custody or control of, or reside in the same premises as no more than 15 dogs for …
Continue reading “Update: Clearwater breeder convicted of animal cruelty”
News Category: Animal cruelty, Ways to help
November 6, 2025Ongoing disease management efforts at Universal Ostrich Farm have been a very emotional and stressful time for all involved, including the significant number of animal lovers across the country who have been following this case. This morning, the Supreme Court of Canada has issued a decision  related to the Universal Ostrich Farm, dismissing the motion …
Continue reading “BC SPCA updated statement on ongoing activities at Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C.”
News Category: Animal cruelty, Farm
October 16, 2025On October 7, the BC SPCA brought 27 dogs and one cat into care from a rural property in the Kootenays, following an animal protection investigation involving concerns of irresponsible breeding and neglect. The 27 seized dogs were French bulldogs, Boston terriers, Kangal shepherds, and heelers, as well as several mixed-breed dogs, and included 12 …
Continue reading “BC SPCA rescues 28 animals from rural property in the Kootenays”
News Category: Animal cruelty
June 3, 2025On May 21, 2025, at the Kamloops Law Courts, Kurtis Leo Gordon Elliot was convicted of one count of owner neglecting animal or bird or failing to provide necessaries contrary to section 446(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.  Following his sentencing on May 27, 2025, Elliot is prohibited from owning, having the custody or …
Continue reading “Update: BC SPCA disappointed with sentencing of Clearwater breeder following devastating animal cruelty case”
News Category: Animal cruelty, Ways to help
April 17, 2025For the second time in Canadian history, federal candidates will square off on April 23 in a national all-party debate focused on animal protection issues. Animal protection first emerged as an election issue during the 2021 federal election, with the main parties making campaign announcements and platform commitments. A 2024 Nanos poll found 43 per …
Continue reading “BC SPCA to co-host national animal protection election debate on April 23”
News Category: Animal cruelty
April 9, 2025On April 4, 2025, at the Duncan Law Courts, Rhees William Kendall and Tanisha Lynn Kendall were found guilty of one count each of willfully causing or permitting unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird, contrary to section 445.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code. Between October 31, 2023, and November 16, 2023, …
Continue reading “Ladysmith couple with previous history of animal abuse in Saskatchewan found guilty in B.C.”
News Category: Animal cruelty
