A warrant of arrest has been issued for Éric Couture, whose trial will begin on Monday in Miramichi.
Quebecer was raising dogs in an old church in Escuminac back in the SPCA made a big seizure there in April 2020. More than 60 dogs were collected there.
Judge Johanne-Marguerite Landry signed the warrant to locate Éric Couture and a witness in this case, Kevin Lockwood. The latter must also undergo a separate trial on July 25.
Both men are charged under the Humane Society Act with failing to provide proper animal care and confining animals in unsanitary conditions.
They were also accused of deliberately failing to provide adequate care to these animals, under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Concerns from 2017
The charges come three years after local residents expressed concerns about the ranch.
The kennel, which sells pinscher dogs, is licensed from SPCA and several inspections took place there.
More than 150 citizens demonstrated in 2017 in front of the establishment that they suspected was a puppy mill.
Éric Couture even opened its doors to the public shortly after to show that the animals are well treated there.
The date of his trial depends on his arrest.
According to the report ofAlexander Silberman ng CBC
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
