Equal blame: judge

Crapaud couple fined for dog cruelty related offence

A couple was fined $1,000 each under the Animal Companion Protection Act following the seizure of a dog in horrendous condition. Christopher Wayne Gallant and Christian Gauthier pleaded guilty Friday to willfully causing a companion animal unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.

The dog, a lab/Rottweiler mix named Nicholas, was taken from the couple’s Crapaud residence on April 11. The court heard the dog appeared in distress, had open wounds on its right shoulder and had to be carried to a van because it was unable to walk. The dog’s eyes were sunken, both ears had erosions on the tips and the animal was dehydrated and malnourished. Chief Provincial Court Judge Nancy Orr noted photographs of the dog show “rib bones protruding from his body.’’

The judge told the pair, who are currently separated, they each are prohibited from owning a companion animal for 10 years.

Gallant and Gauthier have also been ordered to jointly pay $2,678 for costs incurred by the P.E.I. Humane Society to house the dog and obtain veterinary treatment for the animal.

Gauthier, who has done volunteer work at the Humane Society, adopted Nicholas in May 2015.

Defence lawyer Yolande Murphy told the court the couple claimed the dog’s condition deteriorated quickly, he refused to eat and started to be “a little bit aggressive’’.

Orr appeared to find the claim that the dog would fall into such poor condition over just a few days to be farfetched.

She said if the couple truly cared for the dog’s well being, they would have sought help somewhere — from a vet or the P.E.I. Humane Society. Before sentencing, Gallant tried to take full blame for the dog’s horrific condition, which included the animal having its hind quarters covered in dried feces.

“She took care of that dog,’’ he said.

“She had nothing to do with this. All I do is just disappoint everybody.’’

Orr, however, said the pair was equally responsible. The Crown told the court Nicholas has “rebounded and is now in foster care.’’

SUBMITTED PHOTO Nicholas is seen in a recent photo showing how well the dog has rebounded in the care of the P.E.I. Humane Society after being rescued in atrocious condition. A couple was sentenced Friday for willfully causing the dog unnecessary pain, suffering or...

SUBMITTED PHOTO Nicholas, a mixed labrador/Rottweiler, is shown shortly after it was placed under the care of the P.E.I. Humane Society.