Gloria Adele Martell, 72, of Halifax, was sentenced on September 23, 2020. Martell pled guilty to owning and willfully permitting unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to dogs contrary to section 445.1 (1)(a) and having custody or control of domestic dogs, abandoning them in distress and willfully neglecting, failing to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care contrary to section 446.1 (1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada. The judge sentenced Martell to 10 months jail for the charge of 445.1 (1)(a), 3 months jail, concurrent, for the charge of 446.1 (1)(b), and 35 months of probation with mental health counselling. Martell was also ordered to pay $1,815 restitution to the SPCA and given a lifetime prohibition order on owning animals.

On November 21, 2016, the Nova Scotia SPCA responded to an after-hours emergency of several dogs in a parked minivan. One dog was tied to the front seat while others were trapped in tiny carriers unable to sit or stand. There was an overpowering smell of ammonia and garbage. Martell arrived in another vehicle, refused to stop, and sped away. Martell later returned to the scene where she was arrested. Eight dogs, along with one deceased dog, were taken into custody and transported to the Nova Scotia SPCA for immediate care.

“The dogs were heavily covered in urine and feces,” says Jo-Anne Landsburg, Chief Provincial Inspector at the Nova Scotia SPCA. “Some were emaciated and full of parasites. One was suffering from an untreated broken leg which had to be amputated.”

All eight dogs were successfully rehabilitated and rehomed. A necropsy was performed on the deceased dog confirming it died of severe emaciation, gastric hemorrhage, endo-parasitism, and pressure sores. The Nova Scotia SPCA has a zero-tolerance policy for animal cruelty. They urge you to report acts of animal cruelty by contacting the confidential toll-free line at 1-888-703-7722.

Source: Release