WESTLOCK – A Westlock man who previously accused duty counsel of calling him an "idiot" and refusing to assist him returned to court on Feb. 12, this time with legal representation. The man, a single father who is illiterate, had his dog seized after concerns were raised about the animal’s malnourished condition.
The Westlock Court of Justice heard a joint submission that saw the man plead guilty to causing an animal to be in distress and was fined $100. A second charge of failing to provide care of an animal was withdrawn by the Crown. Justice G. Rice ordered the man to pay $100 per month for 10 months to cover the veterinary costs. The boarding and vet costs totalled approximately $3,500.
Court heard that the Husky dog had been found roaming the streets twice, prompting residents to contact bylaw officers. Concerns were raised that the dog was thin and its ribs were showing. The animal was seized on Dec. 4, 2024, and taken to a veterinarian in Westlock, who determined the dog was severely underweight but otherwise healthy.
Despite being told by a bylaw officer that he couldn’t have the dog back, the man went to the veterinary clinic, where staff handed over the animal due to "safety concerns," according to the prosecutor.
Days later, on Dec. 10, the dog was found roaming the streets in Westlock again and seized by a town bylaw officer. It was taken to a Morinville veterinary clinic, where it was again diagnosed as underweight and malnourished.
During a January court appearance, the man said that the dog belonged to his disabled daughter and that the separation was causing her significant emotional distress. Defence lawyer Brendan Thompson, representing the man on Feb. 12, told the court that the man’s daughter has significant special needs and that he is unable to work and cares for his daughter.
Thompson told the court that the man had attempted to feed the dog, but it refused to eat. He also claimed to have purchased de-wormer for the animal but couldn’t provide a receipt as proof.
Justice G. Rice agreed to the joint submission and released the dog to the man and ordered him to take the animal for a veterinary examination within five days and once a month for the next six months. The man must also obtain a nutritional plan from the vet to ensure the dog’s proper care.
