Exploiting animals on Kijiji nets Calgary woman $7,000 fine

Ashley Onen of Calgary has been fined $7,000 for her role in an online scam. She is also banned from owning animals for 10 years, with the exception of the pets currently in her care.

• Kijiji fee aimed at weeding out unscrupulous pet brokers

The Calgary Humane Society says the woman used various aliases to get free animals on Kijiji.

She would later sell them,but officials say sheneglected them while in her care andfalsified the medical histories of the pets.

An investigation began in 2011 when a dogin poor shape was taken in for treatment. Four other small-breed dogs were seized in various states of neglect after a search warrant was issued.

This was aunique case in that the offence was motivated by profit," says Brad Nichols, manager ofcruelty investigations.

This typeof exploitive behaviour is concerning and deserving of a significant penalty. The $7,000 fine is the largest fine this agencyhas obtained on conviction and reflected the commercial aspect of the offence. The10-year ban will put an end to her unethical revenue stream."

The humane society says this case highlights why people should never advertise a pet as free to a good home.