Nova Scotia SPCA says Mount Uniacke couple handed lifetime ownership ban

Nova Scotia SPCA says a Mount Uniacke couple will remain on its radar for their rest of their lives after they left their 10-year-old Chow mix outside in the snow last March with no shelter.

The couple pleaded guilty in Dartmouth provincial court on Jan. 18 to a charge of causing an animal to be in distress and were handed a lifetime ban on owning animals.

"It's not very often that we see a lifetime prohibition," said Courtney Zylstra, an SPCA spokeswoman. "But the courts are getting better at realizing the seriousness of animal cruelty and we're starting to see a difference in the sentencing."

In addition to the lifetime ban, the couple must pay Nova Scotia SPCA $1,180 in restitution.

"It was quite snowy last March, as we all remember," Zylstra said. "And actually the snow was so high that time of year that the animal was unable to get inside the doghouse."

Entrance to doghouse blocked by snow

Zylstra said the SPCA is not releasing the names of the two people.

She said the dog was tethered longer than the legal time limit for having an animal outside. She said the dog's fur was severely matted when it was found by SPCA cruelty investigators.

"Her undercoat had grown quite a bit from being left outside. So she did have to be shaved down to relieve her of that discomfort."

Zylstra said the dog has since been adopted and is now doing well. She said cruelty officers will be checking in with the couple to confirm they are complying with the lifetime ban.

"They will be on our radar for the rest of their lives."