Pound-keeper faces cruelty charges
Times Colonist
Thursday, January 13, 2005

Port Hardy's pound-keeper is facing animal cruelty charges after a German shepherd in her care allegedly suffered for four days from injuries including broken bones before it was euthanized.

The dog was brought in Sept. 24 by a motorist who noticed the injured animal at the roadside, said Hugh Coghill, B.C. SPCA animal protection officer.

The animal appeared to be a stray and no one came forward to claim it.

A visitor to the pound noticed the animal suffering and notified the SPCA which seized the dog after it was euthanized.

"There were bones protruding out of the skin and it appeared the dog may have been dragged due to the amount of gravel and sand that was ground into skin," said Coghill.

The law requires anyone with custody of an injured animal to see it has proper veterinary care, he said.

Charges against those who watch over impounded animals are rare, said Coghill.

"I've never seen anything like this before and I've been in animal welfare since the end of the 1970s."

Paula Dillabough is to appear in court in Port Hardy on Feb. 22 on charges of animal cruelty and neglect under both the B.C. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.

A conviction could mean up to six months in jail, a maximum $2,000 fine and a prohibition on having custody or care of animals.