Fort McMurray Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty After Nearly 100 Dogs Rescued From Home

Police have charged a Fort McMurray woman with animal cruelty offences after officials rescued 97 dogs from a home in the community in August.

Wood Buffalo RCMP arrested a 51-year-old woman on Oct. 27 and charged her with causing damage or injury to an animal and causing or permitting unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal, according to an Oct. 29 news release.

The woman was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in Fort McMurray’s Court of Justice on Nov. 19.

The charges follow an Aug. 25 search of a property in the Gregoire neighbourhood by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s bylaw services, which obtained a warrant under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act. The operation led to the rescue of 97 small-breed dogs, which the Fort McMurray Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) took into its care.

“This was one of the largest dog rescues we’ve ever done,” Aaron Anderson, the municipality’s bylaw services manager, said in an August news release.

The municipality said the dogs would undergo veterinary examinations, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering.

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Melanie Schneider, executive director of the Fort McMurray SPCA, said at the time that the agency would post updates on its social media when the animals were ready for adoption.

The municipality encouraged residents to support the SPCA by volunteering, fostering animals, or donating money, food and supplies.

The news release added that residents who witness animal cruelty should report it to Pulse so animal control officers can assess the situation, or call 911 in an emergency.