Couple fined $12,000 for neglecting 91 pets
Most animals euthanized after being found in a home full of rabbit feces
A Calgary couple found living in a house with piles of rabbit feces up to 45 centimetres deep was fined a total of $12,000 in an animal abuse case Thursday for failing to properly maintain 91 pets.
Anthony and Christine Berry had earlier pleaded guilty to a single charge of neglect under the Animal Protection Act.
Following their March 9 guilty pleas, Crown prosecutor Gord Haight described the conditions that were discovered by investigators at the couple’s Erin Woods home.
“The conditions were of grave concern,” Haight told provincial court Judge Allan Fradsham.
“The family room was covered in approximately two inches of rabbit feces.
“There was a strong odour of rabbit urine and feces which was at various times described by those who attended as overpowering.”
Haight said investigators found 69 rabbits, 20 hamsters, a dog and a cat in the house. The majority of the animals had to be euthanized.
He said the couple’s basement was in even worse condition.
“The entire basement was covered in approximately one to 1 1/2 feet of compressed rabbit feces,” Haight said.
“The basement ceiling was a blanket of spider webs.”
Haight and defence lawyer Paul Brunnen jointly requested a $6,000 fine for each offender.
Haight said he would have sought a higher fine if not for the financial situation both are in.
Brunnen told Fradsham that the publicity surrounding the couple’s arrest has taken a toll. They are now separated and planning to divorce.
“They’re going to be on their own,” Brunnen said, of the need to fine them separately.
Brunnen also suggested that Anthony Berry should be placed on probation so he can be ordered to continue receiving treatment from the Forensic Assessment Outpatient Services on a regular basis.
“Mr. Berry would benefit from continued attendance at FAOS,” the lawyer said.
“Dr. (Patrick) Baillie and the people there have been very helpful.”
Brunnen said neither of his clients wished to address the court, but both were “sorry” for their conduct.
Both Berrys were also prohibited for life from owning multiple pets. They can, however, each own a dog or a cat.
Anthony Berry was earlier given the equivalent of a four-month jail term and three years of probation for brandishing a knife at a police officer investigating the same incident.
On top of the fines, Fradsham ordered each to pay a fine surcharge of $900.
Both Berrys have two years to pay the fines.
Brad Nichols, senior manager of animal cruelty investigations with the Calgary Humane Society, said he was “quite happy with the sentence.”
He said the prohibition that allows each Berry to own a single pet will allow officers to keep tabs on the offenders so they don’t hoard animals in the future.
“It actually makes it easier for us to monitor the situation,” Nichols said outside court.
“Ultimately, the sentence for both is punitive, as well as it allows for this not to happen again, this hoarding-type situation.”
He said the fact Anthony Berry drew a weapon on the officers who attended made the case even more difficult.
“This one was hard on our officers, so it’s nice to have that closure.”
Nichols, who attended the scene later, said that it was “one of the worst houses I’ve been in.”