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Woman, 61, found guilty on four counts of animal cruelty

Charges stem from ongoing investigations into how Connie Metayer treated the 26 dogs she had on her property
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A 61-year-old Greater Sudbury woman has been found guilty of four counts of animal cruelty for keeping 26 dogs in what the Ontario SPCA called "deplorable conditions" on her property in Wanup. (File photo)

A Wanup resident who has had multiple run ins with the Ontario SPCA has been found guilty on four counts of animal cruelty and banned for life from owning more than one dog at a time.

Connie Metayer, 61, was found guilty on March 23 following a hearing in Sudbury provincial offences court of permitting distress, failing to provide medical attention, failing to provide the care necessary for general welfare and failing to comply with an order.

The charges stem from a search warrant executed at Metayer's property in Wanup on May 14, 2014. The warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into how Metayer, who has previously told Sudbury.com she was a dog breeder, was caring for the large number of animals she kept on her property.

SPCA reported that Metayer was caring for 20 border collies and border collie-type dogs, as well as six puppies.

In a news release, the SPCA described the animals' living conditions as "deplorable."

"Garbage and debris were strewn around the rural property, with feces throughout the dwelling," the society reported. "Ontario SPCA officers witnessed dogs repeatedly, and without any apparent provocation, engage in fights amongst themselves, as well as dogs with evidence of fresh and old fight wounds. 

"Dogs were found to be matted and severely unkempt. Officers also noted various untreated medical conditions, such as open wounds and animals that were limping. The dogs did not have access to clean water and the only source of food seen on the property was decaying scraps of meat. 

"Shelter consisted of two temporary 'car port' type structures and access underneath the dwelling on the property."

The veterinarian brought along for the execution of the warrant recommended the dogs be removed from the property. All 26 have since been adopted into loving homes, SPCA said.

Metayer was sentenced to two years probation and received a lifetime prohibition preventing her from owning more than one dog at any one time. Any dog in her care must also be taken to a veterinarian annually and Metayer must follow the veterinarian’s recommendations.

Metayer, whose Facebook page also features several examples of her paintings, which often feature her dogs and the landscape around her home in Wanup, as had run-ins with animal control officials at least as far back as 2006. 

In the winter of that year, Metayer was charged with operating a kennel without a licence and fined. At the time, she had more than 20 dogs living on 30 acres of property in Wanup.


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