An Edmonton veterinarian has been handed a six-month conditional sentence and more than $13,300 in fines related to an animal abuse case that dates back to August 2015.
Dr. Jun Yang was sentenced on Friday. His sentence includes a 24-month probation period.
Last June, Yang was found guilty of four charges related to animal abuse, including one under the Criminal Code of wilfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to two dogs. The other three charges were under the Animal Protection Act.
READ MORE: Edmonton vet found guilty of 4 animal abuse-related charges
Yang was accused of choking, punching and kicking two dogs at the Hollick Kenyon Veterinary Clinic in northeast Edmonton. The dogs were seized in April 2016 after an extended period of abuse that began in August 2015.
The dogs were registered to the clinic and staying there as office dogs. The clinic had been responsible for the dogs’ daily care.
READ MORE: Former staff member accuses Edmonton veterinarian of hitting his own dogs
One day after Yang was found guilty, his licence to practice veterinary medicine was temporarily suspended by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), pending a hearing into the matter. The association confirmed Monday that Yang’s licence remained suspended and that a hearing into the matter has not yet been scheduled.
“It’s considered to be quite a serious matter and the AVMA recognizes the seriousness of a veterinarian being convicted under the criminal code and the Animal Protection Act for charges of animal abuse, animal cruelty. We recognize that seriousness and the act does allow us to take action,” Dr. Phil Buote, deputy registrar and complaints director with the AVMA, said.
A statement from Alberta Justice said because the Crown has 30 days to appeal the sentence, it would be inappropriate for the Crown to comment.
Watch below: Dr. Jun Yang was found guilty of four charges related to animal abuse in June 2017. He was accused of choking, punching and kicking two dogs at his clinic in northeast Edmonton.