P.E.I. woman fined after hairless, underweight dog euthanized

A 27-year-old Cornwall, P.E.I., woman has been fined $200 and put on two years probation after pleading guilty to one count of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to a companion animal.

Court heard that the PEI Humane Society seized two dogs from Alicia Nicole Morrison's home in late August.

They acted on a tip from a neighbour, who said the dogs were rarely allowed outside and sometimes only as far as the front porch.

Humane Society officials found both dogs underweight.

One, a German shepherd named Armani, had lost all her hair, had scabs on her head and had swollen paws that oozed pus and blood. She later had to be euthanized.

The other dog, Weezi, has ongoing health issues. She has been adopted.

Herbal remedies

Morrisonhad told the Humane Society she had been treating Armani with herbal remedies, and that she was too embarrassed by the dog's condition to take it to a vet.

She also said she worked two jobs, seven days a week, and had no time to walk the animals.

'Embarrassment is no excuse'

Judge Nancy Orr said anyone looking at pictures of the dogs could easily see they needed veterinary care.

She said Morrison's attempt to conceal the problem by keeping the dogs inside was an aggravating factor in this case.

"Embarrassment is no excuse," she said. "That animal needed help."

Morrison has been ordered not to keep or take care of companion animals during her two years' probation.

Morrison's charge falls under P.E.I.'s Companion Animal Protection Act.

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