Supporter wearing a 'For the Love of Captain' t-shirt

Today (June 4, 2013) was supposed to be the day that Brian Whitlock received his sentence from Provincial Court Judge David St. Pierre. But St. Pierre reserved his sentencing decision, saying he wanted more time to read everything and articulate his decision. As far as we know, the sentencing hearing will continue on June 12 at 2:00 PM.

If you are unfamiliar with this story, read the background here.

Crown Counsel Jordan Hauschildt mentioned the petition that Animal Advocates’ supporters signed. Thank you all for your help with this.

Hauschildt did not ask for the maximum sentence of 5 years of imprisonment (which is what we asked for in the petition), but he did ask for a lifetime ban on owning animals. We are hopeful that in this case the lifetime ban will be imposed (unlike the recent story of the kitten torturer who only received a two-year ban).

Read more (from the Vancouver Sun) here.

We will update you when we know more.

- Adam Lang, North Vancouver, BC

Brian Whitlock

Brian Whitlock pled guilty to animal cruelty on Tuesday April 9. He will be sentenced in June (almost a year after Captain was found in the dumpster).

If you are unfamiliar with this story, read the background here.

Whitlock now faces a possible sentence of up to five years in jail, a $75,000 fine, and a lifetime ban on owning animals.

We would like to share more with you but the publication ban prevents us from doing so.

Thank you so much for signing the petition and caring about Captain.

- Adam Lang, AAS Assistant, North Vancouver, BC

Another day in court, another delay…

We were in the courtroom on March 28 for Brian Whitlock’s arraignment hearing. Unfortunately — and predictably — it was adjourned at the request of Whitlock’s lawyer. The new date for the arraignment hearing is Thursday April 4 at 9:00 am. We will keep you posted.

- Adam Lang, North Vancouver, BC

We will attend and let you know what happens.

- Adam Lang, AAS Assistant, North Vancouver

If you are unfamiliar with the Brian Whitlock / Captain story, read the background here.

Unfortunately the court proceedings were subject to a publication ban, meaning that we cannot share with you what we learned that day. Which is unfortunate, because we learned a lot while sitting in the courtroom between 9:30 and 4:00. (In fact, we took 3000 words worth of notes.)

We don’t expect there to be a publication ban at the trial. We will be at the trial to report what we learn.

However, we can tell you that Whitlock’s bail was revoked. So, for now, he remains in jail awaiting his trial dates.

We will keep you updated.

- Adam Lang, AAS Assistant, North Vancouver BC

InterNICHE works in partnership with any individual, group or department that shares the common goals of replacement of harmful animal use and investment in high quality ethical science.

The presentation provided an overview of existing alternatives to animal experiments in medical, veterinary medical and biological science education and training. Concrete examples of alternatives successfully used to replace and even outperform harmful animal use were featured.

Dr. Olivier Berreville holds a PhD in Biology from Dalhousie University, and has been involved with various non-profit animal protection organizations for more than 12 years. He is presently Scientific Advisor for Canadians for Ethical Treatment of Food Animals and the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition. He has been the Canadian National Contact for the International Network for Humane Education since 2003, assisting life science students learn in their chosen field without harming animals.

Watch the 9-part video series below to learn more about learning without harming animals:

Alternatives in education: Part 1/9: Introduction

Alternatives in education: Part 2/9: Nerve Physiology

Alternatives in education: Part 3/9: Muscle Physiology

Alternatives in education: Part 4/9: Pharmacology

Alternatives in education: Part 5/9: Surgery

Alternatives in education: Part 6/9: Anatomy

Alternatives in education: Part 7/9: Animal Handling

Alternatives in education: Part 8/9: Views on Humane Education

Alternatives in education: Part 9/9: InterNICHE

- Adam Lang, AAS Assistant, North Vancouver, BC

For the second time in the last 30 days, Animal Advocates was in room 307 at the Vancouver Provincial Court on Main Street to find out what would happen with Captain’s owner, Brian Whitlock. (If you are unfamiliar with this story, read the background here.)

And, for the second time in the last 30 days, Whitlock’s lawyer requested a delay. He asked for more time to go over some material he had just received — a large package of disclosure and a 50-page letter from Brian Whitlock. The judge allowed his request.

The next date is March 26th at 9am. We will be there once again. And hopefully, this time, for the sake of our sanity, something will happen.

- Adam Lang, North Vancouver, BC

Captain in the dumpster in Kitsilano

Animal Advocates was in the courtroom on January 29th to find out what would happen with Captain’s owner, Brian Whitlock. (If you are unfamiliar with this story, read the background here.)

Protesters who showed up in September

As we’ve seen every other time we’ve been to court to cover this, there was a small group of dedicated animal-lovers outside the courthouse. They held signs requesting that Whitlock receive the maximum sentence allowable (5 years imprisonment) for willfully causing unnecessary suffering to Captain, his two-year-old German Shepherd. Whitlock had beaten Captain nearly to death then left him to die in a dumpster in Kitsilano.

Whitlock’s lawyer made an appearance, but no plea was entered — he requested more time and the judge allowed it, so it appears that it has been pushed to February 26th. We will keep you updated.

- Adam Lang, North Vancouver, BC