North Saanich woman who allowed her dog to suffer with a broken jaw, pneumonia and a collapsed lung has been banned from owning animals for three years.

Iris Crystal Jones was handed the ban after pleading guilty to animal cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

“This was a horrific case of neglect,” said BC SPCA special provincial constable Erika Paul, “and unfortunately it took a little dog paying the ultimate price to ensure no other animals will be neglected for the next three years.”

Paul says the case of Sherbert, a young female adult pit bull owned by Jones, was among the more disturbing she’s encountered in her 14-year career. Sherbert was declined veterinary care after sustaining blunt force trauma to her jaw and later developed other complications.

“She was just such a sweet little dog whose every breath was a struggle because of the collapsed lung,” says Paul. “She would pant and heave while her broken jaw dangled and swayed.”

Sherbert was seized by the SPCA in February 2009. Coughing and wheezing, Sherbert was discovered crammed in a kennel with another large pit bull.

To help our life-saving Cruelty Investigations Department, please support the BC SPCA Heroes Fund for Animal Protection.

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.