Barrie woman pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty charges under Criminal Code

(Barrie, ON) A Barrie woman has received 2 years probation after pleading guilty under the Animal Cruelty Section of the Criminal Code of Canada a year after her dog suffered a painful death where no medical attention was sought.

In a Barrie court on July 30, 2007, 42 year old Claudia Duri-Partridge received probation that will prohibit her from having custody or control of any animal for 2 years.

On January 3rd 2006, at approximately 11:30am, the Barrie Branch of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals received a complaint regarding a large dog, possibly injured, lying in the driveway of a Peel Street address in Barrie. Two officers responded to the call and upon arrival discovered a large grey Mastiff type dog lying on its side partially covered with a blanket. Upon closer examination, the officers confirmed that the dog was deceased. No obvious signs of injury or trauma were noted, however the abdomen appeared extremely distended.

Ownership of the dog was claimed by Claudia DURIPARTRIDGE of Peel Street, in the City of Barrie. She indicated that her fiancé coowned the dog.

The fiancé has also been charged with the neglect of the dog.

The dog named "Karma" was a spayed female approximately 3 years of age, and was acquired in October 2005 from a "Free to Good Home" ad. DURI-PARTRIDGE indicated that the dog had not been acting "normal" during the evening of December 31st 2005 and that the dogs' stomach had begun to enlarge.

No medical treatment was sought during this time.

"Karma" who had been laying outside by the BBQ since January 1, was removed by the Ontario SPCA officers, and with the owner's permission delivered to the pathology laboratory in Guelph for post mortem testing. Results from the necropsy confirmed that the dog died of a 180 degree counter clockwise gastric torsion. A condition where the animal's stomach becomes twisted and is excruciatingly painful and can be fatal if not treated immediately.

The guilty plea has brought mixed emotions to Inspector Banks who has worked on the case since the initial call.

"It's frustrating that things like this have to happen at all. This dog endured a very painful death for a long time and no one cared enough to seek help.

Yes this woman has received probation, however for every 1 animal cruelty conviction that we get, there will be 50 where we don't and that is due to lack of strong animal cruelty laws." Inspector. Rachel Banks.

The trial for the coaccused is scheduled for October 29, 2007 in Barrie.