Skip to content

Animal cruelty earns North Bay man 10 year pet ban

A stone, approximately three centimeters by three centimeters, was blocking its digestive track.
humane society 2 north bay turl 2016
Photo by Jeff Turl

A North Bay man can't own an animal for 10 years after being found guilty of four counts of animal cruelty.

On March 15, the North Bay & District Humane Society got a tip about a starving dog at a home in North Bay.

An Ontario SPCA agent visited the property and found the dog to be emaciated, with ribs, spine and hip bones easily felt and visible.

The dog's owner, Wayne Farrow, told the agent the dog had swallowed a stone six weeks earlier and had been vomiting and losing weight since.

An Ontario SPCA Order was issued demanding Farrow provide veterinary care to the dog.

A search warrant was executed two weeks later on April 1, at a secondary location, and the dog was removed because of its medical distress and Farrow’s failure to comply with the order.

The dog was immediately brought to a vet who found a stone, approximately three centimeters by three centimeters, blocking its digestive track. The stone was removed and the dog was placed on a strict diet and medication over the course of the next three weeks.

The dog, named “Floyd” made a full recovery and was put up for adoption after ownership was given to the Society.

Floyd has since been adopted into another home.

On September 23, Farrow was found guilty of four counts of animal cruelty under the Ontario SPCA Act:

  • Permitting an animal to be in distress
  • Failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical attention
  • Failing to provide care necessary for general welfare
  • Failing to comply with an Ontario SPCA Order

Farrow was sentenced to a 10-year prohibition from having custody or control of any animal, a $200 fine, a one-year probation and is required to pay restitution in the amount of $1,666.

“Allowing your animal to suffer when there are numerous resources available is inexcusable,” says Lynn Michaud, Senior Inspector, Ontario SPCA. “We are pleased to see the judicial system take animal welfare so seriously in this sentencing.”


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.




Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
Read more