SaltWire E-Edition

Lifetime ban imposed on owning farm animals

CAPE BRETON POST news@cbpost.com @capebretonpost

SYDNEY — Joan Leroy loves children and animals and nothing brought her greater joy than bringing her two loves together at her hobby farm in Point Edward.

Over the years, Twin Lighthouse Farm shared its animals with hundreds of local children who came to the farm as part of a school or various community group outings.

But those days are now over as Leroy pleaded guilty to two charges under the Animal Protection Act and is now banned for life from owning farm animals.

She pleaded guilty to allowing animals to be distress — horses, donkeys, swine, goats and birds — and with failing to comply with the directions ordered by the SPCA.

She was fined a total of $100 and is allowed to keep rabbits, her egg-laying chickens along with a dog and cat.

The remaining animals are to be seen by a vet at least twice a year.

Leroy was facing 11 charges and had elected trial in provincial court. However, in entering guilty pleas on two counts, the remaining charges were dismissed.

The court was told that Leroy's love for animals resulted in her taking in a variety of animals from others who could no longer care for them or want them.

However, Leroy tried sheltering too many animals and the associated work was simply overwhelming.

She told the court she had hired three people to help her out on the farm but two of the individuals died and the third suffered a stroke.

Leroy, who turns 79 this month, was left to fend for herself with the daily grind of feeding, watering and cleaning up after the animals that resulted in her suffering an injury.

Leroy now has 60 days in which to rehome any remaining animals minus the exceptions.

CAPE BRETON

en-ca

2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://saltwire.pressreader.com/article/281603833745115

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