Island man sentenced in Nanaimo after causing a dog unnecessary pain and suffering – Victoria News

A man on the island was sentenced to six months in prison for causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal.

Kiefer Tyson Giroux, 26, was sentenced by Judge Brian Harvey in the Nanaimo Provincial Court on Tuesday May 5. John Blackman, Crown Attorney, and Chris Churchill, Defense Counsel, participated in a joint referral.

Citing an agreed statement of fact, Blackman said a dog, a Malinois Sheepdog, was in the care of Giroux in December 2019 in Nanoose Bay, north of Nanaimo. The dog was taken to the vet on December 24 with breathing problems and was later found to have injuries to its internal organs and penis.

The video surveillance played in court showed how the dog screamed several times and Giroux had hit the dog. She suffered from a burst bladder and severe bruising in his abdominal cavity. The dog’s pancreas and surrounding tissues were severely inflamed and injured, and the liver showed signs of severe trauma.

According to the veterinarian, a strong blow to the dog’s stomach caused the bladder injury. In addition, the blow likely caused bruising and bleeding in the dog’s penis. It could have died if it had been taken to the clinic 20 minutes later, the vet said.

The BC SPCA and RCMP then launched an investigation. According to a preliminary report and psychological assessment, Giroux attributed his actions to a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and the fact that he was smoking marijuana at the time, which he has since given up.

During Harvey’s decision, it was also revealed that Giroux suffered from depression and anxiety in addition to ADHD. Adjustments were made to Giroux’s medication, which seemed to have helped him “tremendously”. However, Harvey said Giroux is still classified as a moderate to high risk of family or intimate partner violence and a low to moderate risk of further harm to animals.

The dog was recovering from its injuries, Blackman told the News Bulletin.

The joint submission called for a three-month trial period and a 25-year ban on animal ownership. Giroux was also fined $ 10,000 restitution and had to do 150 hours of community service within 18 months of his release from prison.

Giroux was originally charged with bestiality but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge and joined the pledge on February 16.

Neither Blackman nor Churchill wanted to comment after the hearing.

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