Exploiting animals on Kijiji nets Calgary woman $7,000 fine

Exploiting animals on Kijiji nets Calgary woman $7,000 fine

Humane society says it is the largest fine ever issued in Calgary

CBC News Posted: Apr 24, 2014 2:42 PM MT Last Updated: Apr 24, 2014 2:49 PM MT




[could not post pics as they got stretched or too big]


The investigation was started in 2011 when S’mores was brought into the Calgary Humane Society for treatment. (Calgary Humane Society)

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Ashley Onen of Calgary has been fined $7,000 for her role in an online scam. She is also banned from owning animals for 10 years, with the exception of the pets currently in her care.

• Kijiji fee aimed at weeding out unscrupulous pet brokers

The Calgary Humane Society says the woman used various aliases to get free animals on Kijiji.
Four other small-breed dogs were seized in various states of neglect after a search warrant was issued. (Calgary Humane Society)

She would later sell them, but officials say she neglected them while in her care and falsified the medical histories of the pets.
An investigation began in 2011 when a dog in poor shape was taken in for treatment. Four other small-breed dogs were seized in various states of neglect after a search warrant was issued.
“This was a unique case in that the offence was motivated by profit," says Brad Nichols, manager of cruelty investigations.
“This type of exploitive behaviour is concerning and deserving of a significant penalty. The $7,000 fine is the largest fine this agency has obtained on conviction and reflected the commercial aspect of the offence. The 10-year ban will put an end to her unethical revenue stream."
The humane society says this case highlights why people should never advertise a pet as free to a good home.

Can't she be thrown into jail too? For a long, LOOOOOONG time would be best.. and she could get the same level of care as the way she cared for her animals.

Pat, the one encouraging thing about this is that it is the largest fine yet. I hope the penalties keep increasing and prison gets added to them.

Thanks, Candace. I hope this is all well publicized too. The more people learn about things like this going on, the more (I hope) things will change over time in the way animals are regarded and treated.

Unfortunately, laws aren't strict enough in Canada. In regards to animals or human beings. In my humble opinion. I'm Canadian, just keepin' it real.

100% agree Mon. And I'm a Canadian too. Jail time + big fine + never being allowed to have a pet again would vastly improve the justice system. Just sayin'.

I'm not sure that things are any better in this country.

Apropos of this:

Albertans rally in favour of stricter animal abuse laws

Criminal Code of Canada amendment would mean harsher punishment in cases of animal abuse

CBC News Posted: Apr 27, 2014 3:47 PM MT Last Updated: Apr 27, 2014 4:44 PM MT


http://i.cbc.ca/1.2623725.1398634571...et-protest.jpg Hundreds gathered outside of the Alberta legislature building Sunday to support proposed changes to the Criminal Code of Canada. If accepted, the amendment would allow for harsher punishment of people found guilty of animal abuse. (CBC)

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• You can read more about Bill C-232 here:

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Hundreds of pet owners and animal enthusiasts rallied outside of the Alberta Legislature Sunday in support of Bill C-232.
If it goes forward, the bill would remove animal cruelty from the property section of the Criminal Code of Canada, allowing for tougher sentencing for those found guilty of abuse.
The event was organized by Charlee Morgan, an animal activist based in Edmonton. Morgan created a Facebook event inviting people to gather in support of the bill.
“From there, everyone wanted to get involved because we’re feeling it’s time now. All the sad stories in the news about the animals and people feel they can’t do anything – what can they do? We’re here, mainly, to petition … for the amendment of the Criminal Code of Canada.”
Morgan was joined at the podium by Alberta's Solicitor General Jonathan Denis, who drove in from Calgary to support the event.
“Many people have contacted me and they don’t want to see this in Alberta and they want to see stronger sanctions against people who mistreat animals,” he said.
http://i.cbc.ca/1.2623727.1398634693...lee-morgan.jpgEvent organizer Charlee Morgan said the time has come to take a real step in support of protecting animals from abuse. (CBC)

“We need to send a very strong message that this type of cruelty to animals is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the law.”
Provincial changes on the way

While Sunday’s event was based around a proposed change to a federal bill, Morgan is also excited for changes she sees coming to the provincial animal protection act.
Earlier this month, Calgary MLA Len Webber launched a private member’s bill calling for stronger sentencing for those found guilty of animal abuse. That bill was first introduced shortly after two particularly upsetting cases of animal abuse made headlines in Calgary.

• Husky, kitten found dead, muzzled in Calgary alley

“That was sickening, that hurt, that scarred us,” said Morgan of the two Calgary incidents. “Ever since then, there have been rallies all over, petition signing, Facebook pages created. The time is now, Alberta.”
Morgan says there is still a long way to go, but is optimistic that Canada and Alberta are now taking a step in the right direction.
“There are so many areas of abuse – the puppy mills, the dog fighting, the backyard breeder – all those things. But none of that [can] be changed if the animals are still considered property, which they have been since the 1800s. So that’s the number one thing.”
“It’s a marathon not a sprint,” she added.