A St. Thomas man who left four dogs and two cats to fend for themselves in a filthy home with urine soaked floors has been banned from owning any pets for a decade.
Shawn Spanner was found guilty of one count of causing distress to an animal and two counts of failing to comply with standards of care. The 34-year-old was sentenced late last week to a ten-year prohibition on owning animals, a two-year probation, and is subject to inspections by the Ontario SPCA to ensure he complies with the ban.
Spanner was charged after Ontario SPCA and Elgin OPP searched a home in Iona Station on February 15 of this year, after receiving concerns about animals being abandoned on the property. Inside the home, investigators found four dogs and two cats living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. Ontario SPCA officials said the floor was covered with feces, urine, and garbage and food was poured in a pile on the kitchen floor.
All of the animals were removed from the home. One of the dogs was treated for a skin infection by a veterinarian.
“There is no excuse for not providing the proper care your animals require,” said Carol Vanderheide, Ontario SPCA regional inspector. “Failure to do so can have serious legal consequences."
All of the animals have since been adopted into new homes. As three of the dogs were pit bulls, which are banned in Ontario, they were sent out of province to be adopted.
In addition to the ten year ban, Spanner has also been fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $2,700 in restitution to the Ontario SPCA.
