David Oakley, 57, of Pictou County, has been sentenced for animal cruelty under the Criminal Code of Canada. In February 2019, Oakley was charged with willfully and without lawful excuse to killing, maiming, wounding, poisoning, or injuring a dog that is kept for lawful purpose contrary to Section 445(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada along with willfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to a dog contrary to section 445.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Oakley was convicted in Pictou Provincial Court on January 25, 2021. He was given a lifetime prohibition order on owning animals and a 21-month conditional sentence, in which 12 months will be spent under house arrest.

Late in the evening of February 14, 2019, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Nova Scotia SPCA received a complaint regarding animal abuse. SPCA Enforcement Officers and RCMP members responded and found numerous puppies and one adult dog deceased on the property. One dog was found to be in critical distress and as a direct result of their condition, the dog was taken for emergency care. The dog has since made a full recovery and has been adopted. A small dog and guinea pig were also removed from the property and rehomed.

The Nova Scotia SPCA has a zero-tolerance policy for animal cruelty and neglect. You can report acts of animal cruelty by calling the SPCA toll-free at 1-888-703-7722, e-mailing animals@spcans.ca or filling out the online form at www.novascotiaspca.ca/reportcruelty/ All concerns and complaints are kept confidential.

Source: Release