A 22-year-old man from South River is prohibited from owning animals for 10 years after pleading guilty to animal cruelty under the Ontario SPCA Act.
Travis Stillaway pled guilty on March 15, 2018 in a Sundridge Provincial Offences Court to one count of permitting distress to an animal.
He was sentenced to a two-year probation, a 10-year prohibition from owning, having custody or care of, or living with any animals, and was ordered to surrender any animals in his care to the Ontario SPCA or affiliated humane society. He must also pay $250 in restitution to the Ontario SPCA.
On Thursday, August 10, 2017, a yellow Labrador-type dog in thin body condition was brought to the Ontario SPCA Muskoka Animal Centre as a stray after being found running at large in South River. An investigation revealed the dog belonged to Stillaway.
Ontario SPCA officers executed a warrant at Stillaway’s home on August 25, 2017 and discovered a Lhasa Apso-type dog living in deplorable conditions within the home. The dog, which was dirty, matted and frightened, was tethered to a living room table by a cord approximately five feet in length.
According to investigators, the animal had no access to water or food.
The dog was removed and examined by a veterinarian who determined he was underweight with poor muscle mass. The dog was also covered in mats, many of which extended to the skin.
Both dogs recovered while in the care of the Ontario SPCA and have since been adopted into loving homes.
“There will be consequences under the law if you fail to provide adequate care for your animals,” said Alison Green, Senior Inspector, Ontario SPCA in a release.
“There is no excuse for neglecting your animals.”
To report animal cruelty, contact the Ontario SPCA’s province-wide animal cruelty hotline at 310-SPCA (7722).
