A southern Alberta woman who pleaded guilty to causing animals to be in distress will have to wait a couple more months to find out her fate.
April Irving was back in a Lethbridge courtroom Wednesday (Oct. 23) for what was expected to be her sentencing.
Irving pleaded guilty to four counts under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act this summer after dozens of dogs were seized from a property near Milk River a few years ago.
An agreed statement of facts says Irving had a total of 211 dogs seized from her in 2015, most of which were malnourished, injured and in extreme distress.
The Crown says it’s seeking over $15,000 in fines and a lifetime ban on having animals, however that ban would only apply in Alberta.
Irving’s defence lawyer, however is asking the judge to allow her to have one or two animals, noting a lifetime ban on having dogs would be like a life sentence for his client.
Under Alberta law, there is no jail time for anyone found guilty under the Animal Protection Act.
The judge is expected to hand down his decision in December.