The BCSPCA is responding to the conviction of a former Swift Current resident for willfully causing or permitting unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal or bird.
Tanisha Kendall and her husband Rhees were each fined $10,000 and received an animal prohibition across Canada for ten years.
"That sends a clear message that animal abuse and neglect will not be tolerated," said Eileen Drever, senior officer of protection and stakeholder relations with the BCSPCA. "We have their voice, and yes, we're pleased with this result."
The Kendalls first came to the BCSPCA's attention in the summer of 2023. Marley Daviduk was their neighbor in Ladysmith, B.C.
"They immediately started piling animals onto the property like dozens of dogs and goats," Daviduk said. "Every day there was more animals arriving. We knew something was off right away.
"While animals were arriving, but no feed was arriving, so more and more goats all breeds, males and females. They all started breeding with each other, and they were just eating the weeds on the property. Fairly soon, it went scorched earth. There was no green left on the property because that's all they had to eat, and that's when the animals started breaking out into neighboring properties in search of food."
Once some of the animals wound up on her property, Daviduk first reported the condition of the animals to authorities.
"It was totally unacceptable," Drever said. "The animals were living in unsanitary conditions. They did not have adequate food or water. Many of those animals were emaciated, and many of them also required care... It was rather tragic that animals had to suffer."
Most of the animals ended up in new homes.
"Unfortunately, four or five perhaps did not make it," Drever said. "But the remaining animals were all rehomed, and all of them deserve the perfect home after suffering and languishing on this property."
Drever noted the animal prohibition means the Kendalls are now allowed to own any new animals, but they can still keep possession of three pets they already owned.
In January 2024, the BC Farm Industry Review Board ruled Tanisha and Rhees were liable to the BCSPCA for $88,234.82 to cover costs incurred for the care of the animals. Drever does not expect to see a cent of that money.
"We will not see any of those funds," she noted. "I can assure you. If it wasn't for the public supporting the work that we do, we couldn't do this work. We're enforcing provincial as well as federal legislation when it comes to animal cruelty, and it's just ironic that the government does not fund that."
Tanisha Kendall was also convicted in Swift Current provincial court last month of one count of permitting an animal to be in distress.
Her Swift Current sentence included a $1,000 fine and a 10-year animal ownership prohibition with exceptions, including being subject to searches of her residence and check-ups with animal protection officers.
Her old neighbor is keeping an eye on animal sales and message boards and is convinced the same behaviors will continue.
"Why would they listen to it now?" Daviduk said. "Why would they change their tune? I know they're going to continue. It's going to be a long-term thing, monitoring their sale of animals on these platforms. They happened to move in next to an animal sanctuary. I've been all over the world documenting animal cruelty. When they moved in next to me, they could not have moved in next to a better or worse person, depending on who you ask. Now that I know the level of neglect that they're capable of, I won't stop watching for their activity."