PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – The Crown has dropped its case against a Saskatchewan man who was accused of animal abuse in the death of a dog.
Ryan Funk of Prince Albert was to go to trial this week on two charges of unnecessary cruelty to an animal.
A miniature Schnauzer named Floyd died in June 2013, although details of what happened have not been released.
The SPCA says two staff members who went to court to testify on Thursday were told the charges had been withdrawn on Nov. 4.
Neither the Crown nor the defence has commented.
SPCA spokeswoman Leanne Roberts says the outcome shows that Saskatchewan has some of the weakest animal welfare laws in Canada.
SPCA animal protection officers and the RCMP both investigated the allegations last year, Roberts said.
Floyd had been involved with the SPCA in the past. Roberts described him as “a sweet little fellow.”
“We wanted justice for Floyd and I think at the very least it should have gone to trial, all the evidence presented, and then let a judge decide. Not a couple of lawyers.”
Roberts said the Crown’s decision not to go forward with the charges has disheartened staff at the humane society.
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