Northumberland woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty charge after failing to care for her 91 cats
Ontario SPCA
Friday, January 12, 2007
NEWMARKET, ON, (January 12, 2007) – Linda Hopley, 47, of Colborne, pleaded guilty on January 8 in the Ontario Court of Justice, Cobourg to the Criminal Code of Canada charge of failing to provide suitable and adequate care to her 91 cats.Hopley was charged on April 20, 2006, following the removal of the 91 cats from her Northumberland residence. Allegations that led to the charges occurred when an Ontario SPCA investigator, following up on complaints in October 2005, attended the property and found the ailing cats in a barn converted into a cat shelter that provided no ventilation, lighting or windows, and feces and urine covered areas of the floor. Some of the food left for the cats appeared moldy.
Between October 21 and December 8 numerous orders were issued stating that the owner must take steps to: create a separate area to isolate sick animals and those under treatment for panleukemia and calicivirus; clean up fecal matter and floors; provide clean bedding; clean the dishes; improve ventilation; and provide natural and/or artificial light.
On November 21 and December 12 a veterinarian determined that the cats were suffering from various ailments including panleukemia (a highly contagious and deadly viral disease with symptoms including depression, loss of appetite, vomiting and a high fever), calicivirus (a viral disease with mild flu-like symptoms), fleas, ear mites and significant weight loss.
Twelve cats were removed from the property between November 19 and December 7 to receive immediate medical attention. The remaining 79 cats were removed on December 12 due to their deteriorating health, the owner’s failure to comply with the Order, and the written recommendation of a veterinarian.
Hopley is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice, Cobourg on March 5, 2007 for sentencing.
To make a donation to the Ontario SPCA call Cathy at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 322.
To report suspected animal abuse call the Ontario SPCA at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 1, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), your local Ontario SPCA Branch, affiliated humane society or police.
Media Contact:
Connie Mallory
Senior Inspector Eastern Region
613-354-2181
Christine Arnett
Director of Marketing & Communications
1-888-668-7722 (668-7722) ext. 305
or carnett@ospca.on.ca
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA): Protecting animals since 1873, the Ontario SPCA is a registered charity comprised of over 50 branches and affiliated humane societies relying primarily on donations to fund animal protection, care and rehabilitation for all animals, government and industry advocacy, and public education. The Ontario SPCA Act mandates the Society to enforce animal cruelty laws and provides Society investigators with police powers to do so – making the Ontario SPCA unique among animal welfare organizations in the province. The Ontario SPCA is a member of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, and is affiliated with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Ontario SPCA Provincial Office, 16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR3 Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4W1 • 1 888 ONT-SPCA (688-7722) • www.ontariospca.ca • info@ospca.on.ca
Charitable Business Number 88969 1044 RR0002
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