Mission woman banned for keeping animals for 15 years following investigation

A Mission woman has been banned from keeping animals for 15 years and sentenced to three years probation after 18 neglected animals were seized from her property.

Faye Delores Parkinson, 75, was found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty under the Criminal Code. Earlier this year, BC SPCA constables seized 11 Persian and Himalayan cats, five Chihuahua-cross dogs and two Sharpei-mix dogs from her property. The animals were found to be suffering from malnutrition, untreated eye, ear and skin conditions, and they had heavily matted fur caked with feces and urine and dental issues.

This was not the first time the BC SPCA has been in contact with Parkinson. She has also breached conditions of previous sentences around animal bans so this time the judge is allowing for random inspections of her property with two hours’ notice.

“Our constables have dealt with Ms. Parkinson on several occasions as far back as 2008, leading to previous animal cruelty convictions,” said Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforcement officer for the BC SPCA, in a release. “We are extremely happy with this sentence, which will prohibit her from having any involvement with breeding, sales or purchase of animals.”

“The sentence handed down demonstrates that the justice system will not tolerate those who profit off the suffering of innocent animals,” added Moriarty. “Given Ms. Parkinson’s age and the length of the ban, we are confident that future risk to animals in her care has been addressed.”