Cruelty charges approved against Vernon animal owner
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(Photo: One of three Aussie Terriers also seized by SPCA investigators from Carla Christman’s property. See others below.)
Crown counsel has approved multiple charges of animal cruelty against a Vernon animal owner.
Carla Christman is charged under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Criminal Code after BC SPCA constables acting on a search warrant seized 28 thin and emaciated horses languishing with untreated injuries on her property. Investigators also discovered 39 terrier mix dogs and puppies and four cats inside an unventilated area so thick with the stench of ammonia and feces that officers gagged upon entry.
In addition, Christman was charged with obstruction and assault on a peace officer.
“These animals were clearly in distress and the accused made little to no attempt over the course of several months to relieve their suffering,” said Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for the BC SPCA. “We issued a number of orders to improve their care, and instead the animals continued to decline.”
The dogs and puppies had overgrown nails and were in dire need of grooming. BC SPCA officers also seized one pig and one llama from the property. The pig was thin and sunburned, while the llama’s coat was badly overgrown and it had barbed wire stuck to its hind end.
An automatic waterer intended for the horses and farm animals was thick with algae. The fence around the property was broken, and various injurious objects peppered their living area, including twine and garbage.
All of the animals are in the SPCA’s custody and are receiving care at area shelters and foster homes.
“When you take on the care of an animal, you are responsible for providing appropriate welfare for that animal, and these animals did not have appropriate welfare,” said Moriarty. “Our investigators tried to work with the owner to improve their welfare, and our orders were repeatedly ignored, leaving us no choice but to act in the animals’ best interest and take them into care.”
A charge under the PCA Act carries a maximum fine of $5,000 for a first offence, up to six months in jail and a prohibition on owning animals for a period of time determined by a judge. If convicted under the Criminal Code, Christman could also face up to five years in jail, along with a fine and order for restitution.
The non-profit BC SPCA is the only animal welfare organization in the province with the mandate and responsibility for investigating complaints of animal cruelty. Cruelty investigations and ongoing veterinary and rehabilitation costs for seized and surrendered animals are generously paid through public donations. So far in 2009, the society has investigated more than 9,100 complaints of animal cruelty.
For more information about the BC SPCA’s cruelty investigations work, visit .
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