Woman charged in dog’s death

Two people have been charged after separate investigations into the death of a dog and a litter of kittens this summer.

Bethany MacLean, of Little Narrows, Cape Breton, was charged after Halifax police removed a dead dog from a vehicle in a Halifax parkade, where it was left “for (an) undetermined amount of time” without adequate food and water, says a news release from the Nova Scotia SPCA.

She will appear in court today charged with willfully causing unnecessary suffering, or injury to an animal, along with failing to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care for it.

“I’m very pleased have jointly worked on this file with Halifax Regional Police who brought charges forward. Sadly, it was a very unfortunate outcome for the dog.” Jo-Anne Landsburg, chief provincial nspector for the SPCA, said in the release.

Daniel Walter Friesen of Aldershot, Kings County, was charged with drowning a litter of kittens, after the SPCA received information in late July about the kittens’ possible disappearance.

Friesen will be arraigned Oct. 24 in Kentville provincial court.

The SPCA notes that it offers a variety of low-cost spay and neuter programs across the province for pets and also works to find homes for unwanted animals.

“Drowning kittens is never an option, especially with so many resources available to the public,” said the SPCA release.

More information can be found at spcans.ca or by contacting your local SPCA shelter.