N.S. couple banned from owning pets for 7 years after dog found in medical distress dies

Nova Scotia SPCA building is pictured in this file photo.

A man and woman from Plymouth, N.S., are banned from having ownership, custody, care or control of animals for seven years following an incident with their dog last summer.

The Nova Scotia SPCA says 69-year-old Lorraine Bain and 73-year-old Herb Bain were charged in August 2024 for permitting an animal to be in distress under the Animal Protection Act.

On June 26, 2024, a dog in need of medical care was found by a member of the public on the side of the road and reported to the Nova Scotia SPCA.

A special constable with the Nova Scotia SPCA Enforcement Department picked up the dog and brought it to the Yarmouth shelter.

The dog, which was assessed by a veterinary technician and examined by a veterinarian, was displaying significant evidence of distress from several medical conditions, according to a Nova Scotia SPCA news release.

“Following an investigation, the animal cruelty charge was laid against the Bains,” reads the Monday news release.

“Despite considerable care and treatment by the SPCA, the dog, named Rocky, succumbed to issues related to his long-standing poor health.”

A previous news release from the Nova Scotia SPCA said the Bains appealed the seizure of their dog, but the Nova Scotia Animal Welfare Appeal Board ruled the seizure was lawful.

As part of their sentence, which took place on Jan. 28, the Bains were also required to surrender any animals currently in their care and send an apology letter to the Yarmouth Nova Scotia SPCA for their treatment of staff during the investigation.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page