Release:

Anna Yurkiw, 26, of Halifax, has been charged with three separate charges under the Animal Protection Act of Nova Scotia. The charges consist of two counts of permitting an animal to be in distress by abandonment contrary to section 26 (2) and 29 (1) of the Animal Protection Act of Nova Scotia and one count of causing an animal to be in distress contrary to section 26 (1) of the Animal Protection Act of Nova Scotia.

Between July 6, 2020 and April 19, 2021, Nova Scotia SPCA Inspectors responded to three complaints of animal cruelty involving what inspectors believed to be the same subject of complaint. The allegations included occurrences in three different municipalities across the province including New Minas, Truro, and Halifax Regional Municipality.

On May 28, 2021, SPCA Inspectors issued an arrest warrant for Yurkiw and on May 29, 2021, in partnership with the Halifax Regional Police, Yurkiw was arrested, charged, and released on conditions not to own, possess, or be in the presence of animals. Throughout the course of the investigation, SPCA Inspectors rescued four animals from immediate distress and cruelty.

Yurkiw is scheduled to appear at Halifax Provincial Court on July 12, 2021. The Nova Scotia SPCA has a zero-tolerance policy for animal cruelty and neglect. They urge you to report acts of animal cruelty by e-mailing animals@spcans.ca, visiting www.novascotiaspca.ca/reportcruelty or calling 1-888-703-7722. All complaints are confidential.

Source: Release #notw