A 51-year-old Callander man has been found guilty of animal cruelty following an investigation into the neglect of an elderly dog in his care.
On March 16, Patrick Adduono pled guilty in a North Bay court to permitting an animal to be in distress and failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical attention.
On August 2, 2017, an Ontario SPCA officer with the North Bay and District Humane Society went to a house in Callander after receiving a complaint about a dog in poor condition.
A 17-year-old male Husky/Shepherd-type dog was found tied to a dog house. The dog was emaciated and had mobility issues says an OSPCA news release.
"The officer also noted discharge coming from the dog’s eyes, as well as open and bleeding wounds. In addition to those health concerns noted, the dog’s shelter was determined to be inadequate to protect the dog from the elements. Further, the dog house and a nearby water bowl were covered in feces."
Due to its immediate distress, the dog was seized and immediately taken to a veterinarian.
"The dog was found to be emaciated, dehydrated, suffering from a severe flea infestation, as well as being anemic. Sadly, when treatment failed, the dog was humanely euthanized at the recommendation of the veterinarian," adds the release.
The courts sentenced Adduono to two months of probation and a 10-year prohibition on owning or caring or residing with animals, with the exception of two dogs currently in his care. Those dogs must receive annual veterinary care and provide proof to the Ontario SPCA of such care.
Adduono is also subject to unannounced inspections by Ontario SPCA officers for a duration of 10 years and was ordered by the Justice of the Peace to pay $464 in restitution to the North Bay and District Humane Society.
“All animals need medical care at some point in their lives, especially as they age,” says Lynn Michaud, Senior Inspector, Ontario SPCA. “Failing to provide care to an animal because of the view they are too old is both inhumane and unacceptable."
