Maple Ridge resident Jeffrey David Symons pleaded guilty today to causing the death of Tessa, a 13-year-old hearing impaired dog, who was left in his care by friends. On April 29, 2013, Symons brought Tessa to a Maple Ridge veterinary hospital claiming that she had fallen down some stairs and was having trouble breathing. She was pronounced dead on arrival.
During a BC SPCA investigation, Symons admitted to using physical punishment on the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, which caused her medical distress and death. Necropsy reports confirmed that Tessa suffered a ruptured spleen and lacerated liver due to blunt force trauma.
“This is such a sad case of a beautiful and innocent family pet who died violently and unnecessarily,” says Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer for the BC SPCA. “A criminal code conviction carries significant weight and we are pleased to see the seriousness of this crime recognized.”
Symons was sentenced to a five-year ban on owning or possessing an animal, one year probation and a three-month conditional sentence.
The BC SPCA investigations more than 7,000 complaints of animal abuse and neglect each year and is funded by community donations.
The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a not-for-profit organization reliant on public donations. Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in B.C.