Jody Berry, 45, of Halifax, has been sentenced for animal cruelty under the Criminal Code of Canada. In May 2019, Jody Berry and Josephine Berry were charged with causing, or being the owner who willfully permitted to causing, unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal, contrary to Section 445.1 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Jody Berry pled guilty and charges were dropped against Josephine Berry. Jody Berry was sentenced in March 2021 to a conditional discharge with a 36-month probation order. This order includes several conditions including but not limited to: 100 hours of community service, mental health counseling, not owning or having any animals or birds in custody, and a three-month curfew.

On December 18th, 2018, the Nova Scotia SPCA received a complaint that a dog had passed and foul play was suspected. SPCA Enforcement Officers seized the remains and transported the dog to the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture’s pathology lab where a necropsy was performed. The results of the necropsy gave evidence the dog suffered blunt trauma and concluded that charges were warranted under the Criminal Code of Canada.

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 #notw