When it comes to protecting animals from ongoing neglect, court-ordered prohibitions are one of the most powerful tools available. Under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act, judges can prohibit individuals convicted of permitting an animal to be in distress from owning, caring for, or even living with animals. These orders can be tailored to specific species, limit the number of animals allowed, or ban all animal contact for a set period — even for life.
While prohibition orders are critical for preventing further distress, their effectiveness depends on clear and specific language. Orders that lack sufficient detail are difficult to enforce, which can leave animals at risk.
To address this, the Alberta SPCA has prioritized building strong working relationships with Crown prosecutors. By collaborating closely, we help ensure prohibition orders are written with clarity and precision.
One of our most significant successes came in a recent case involving a woman who was irresponsibly breeding dogs — ultimately pleading guilty to allowing animals to be in distress. In this instance, the Crown prosecutor worked directly with our Animal Protection team to craft a comprehensive and enforceable prohibition order.
The resulting 10-year order prohibits the woman from owning, possessing, controlling, boarding, breeding, or residing with any animal — except for one dog and one horse. The dog must be spayed or neutered, with proof of surgery provided to our peace officers. If the condition is not met, our peace officers have the authority to seize the animal without a warrant.
Crucially, the order also grants Alberta SPCA peace officers the right to enter the woman’s residence to inspect living conditions throughout the prohibition period. If they find any animals beyond the allowed one dog or one horse — or if any animal is found in distress — our peace officers can act immediately, without needing a warrant.
These inspection rights are essential. Without them, our peace officers would have no legal means to verify compliance or ensure the individual hasn’t returned to breeding animals in secret. Breaching a court order is a Criminal Code offence, and enforcement of the Criminal Code falls to the police — not to the Alberta SPCA. This makes judicially granted inspection rights a more practical way for our peace officers to follow up after a conviction.
In every case we investigate, our goal is the same: to protect animals and prevent future suffering. Well-crafted prohibition orders empower us to continue that work even after the court case has concluded. They close enforcement gaps, eliminate ambiguity, and equip our peace officers with the tools they need to ensure animals remain safe — now and into the future.