N.S. woman charged after body of emaciated dog found in Halifax parkade

A Cape Breton woman is in court Thursday to face animal cruelty charges after police discovered the body of an emaciated dog inside a vehicle in a Halifax parkade.

The Nova Scotia SPCA was called to the scene near Spring Garden Road on May 25 and sent the remains of the dog to pathology for a necropsy.

READ: Abandoned animals all too common in Nova Scotia, NS SPCA says

Due to the condition of the dog, the Nova Scotia SPCA’s chief provincial inspector, Jo-Anne Landsburg, says it appeared the dog had been in the car “for a very long time.”

“The dog was completely emaciated,” Landsburg said.

“There was garbage content in the stomach, so there was indication it was willing to eat at the time of death.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There was garbage content in the stomach, so there was indication it was willing to eat at the time of death."

Bethany MacLean of Little Narrows, N.S. was charged under the Criminal Code with willfully causing unnecessary suffering or injury to an animal. She was also charged with failing to provide suitable and adequate food, water, and shelter for the animal.

WATCH: Don’t abandon pets on moving day: SPCA

2:17 Don’t abandon pets on moving day: SPCA

Landsburg called the situation “a very unfortunate case” and stressed there is no excuse for animal cruelty.

“We always encourage people where they are in a position where they can no longer care for their pet to reach out to us and we can provide some assistance,” she said.