Dog Owner Charged by Alberta SPCA

NEWS RELEASE

October 23, 2019

Dog Owner Charged

A dog owner from Swan Hills has been charged with four offences under the Animal Protection Act (APA) after the Alberta SPCA seized 16 animals from a property earlier this month. Lauri Restad is charged with causing an animal to be in distress, APA 2(1), failing to provide adequate food and water, APA 2.1(a), failing to
provide adequate veterinary care when an animal is sick or injured, APA 2.1(b),
and failing to provide adequate shelter, ventilation and space, APA 2.1(d).

Sixteen dogs were removed from the property in Swan Hills on October 3rd. Peace Officers entered the home under a general warrant to assess the dogs. Believing the animals were in distress and requiring immediate removal, all 16 dogs were transported to veterinarians for examination. One of the dogs was euthanized to relieve pain and suffering and another dog died at a veterinary clinic due to significant health issues. The remaining dogs are under the care of Alberta SPCA caretakers.

Lauri Restad is scheduled to make her first appearance in Barrhead Provincial Court on December 10, 2019.

For further information, please contact:

Dan Kobe
Communications Manager
Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
17904 118 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB  T5S 2W3
Tel: 780-732-3742
Email: [email protected]

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Abused or neglected animal

Under the Animal Protection Act, peace officers have authority to investigate concerns of animal abuse or neglect if there is reason to believe that an animal is:

(a) deprived of adequate shelter, ventilation, space, food, water or veterinary care or reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold,
(b) injured, sick, in pain or suffering, or
(c) abused or subjected to undue hardship, privation or neglect.

Does your concern meet these requirements?

Animal that is in immediate danger
Who to call

In Edmonton:
311
Edmonton Animal Care & Control Centre

In Calgary:
403-205-4455
Calgary Humane Society

On a First Nation or Reserve:
Contact Band leadership or the RCMP

Outside Calgary, Edmonton, or First Nations:
1-800-455-9003 or complete online
Alberta SPCA

What you need when you call:
Address, details (must be firsthand), date and time, description of owner and animals

What next

If your concern is regarding intentional cruelty to
an animal, contact your local police or RCMP. If the
animal is in immediate danger, call 911.

If not, start again.

Abandoned animal

Stray animals and abandoned animals are different.
An abandoned animal has been intentionally left behind by their owner or caretaker, without proper care or intention to return.

A stray animal may or may not have an owner or caretaker, and is wandering at large (off the owner or caretaker’s property).

Wildlife

Contact a wildlife organization near you.

Who to call

In Edmonton:
311
Edmonton Animal Care & Control Centre

In Calgary:
403-205-4455
Calgary Humane Society

Outside Calgary and Edmonton:
1-800-455-9003
Alberta SPCA or complete online

Is the stray animal injured?
Who to call

Companion Animals
In Edmonton:
311
Edmonton Animal Care & Control Centre

In Calgary:
311
Calgary Animal Services

Outside Calgary and Edmonton: 
Contact municipal enforcement / bylaw office

Livestock
Contact Livestock Identification Services at 1-866-509-2088.
After hours, contact your local non-emergency police line

Short-term pet care during crisis

Review our materials

Surrendering an animal

Contact your local animal shelter.