BC dog breeder convicted of animal cruelty after denying care for critically ill French bulldog

A dog breeder from Nanaimo has been convicted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act after failing to provide her dog with appropriate veterinary care, says the BC SPCA.

On Nov. 26, 2024, Simona Pringle, a breeder of French Bulldogs received a $1,000 fine, 40 hours community service and is prohibited from owning any more than three animals, which must be spayed or neutered, for the next year.

The conviction stems from an incident in January 2023, where the BC SPCA received a report from a veterinarian about an emaciated, dehydrated, and hypothermic French Bulldog named Java who was actively seizing upon entering their clinic.

Pringle had told the clinic that the dog had been having multiple seizures for the previous five days and had not been eating or drinking.

When the veterinarian told Pringle that Java was in critical distress, the breeder declined care or euthanasia and took the dog home against the veterinarians advice.

After the SPCA was contacted, an animal protection officer intervened and Pringle took Java to a veterinarian to be euthanized.

An investigation followed, and the animal protection officer determined that Pringle “caused or permitted Java to be in distress,” contrary to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

“This is a clear reminder to anyone responsible for an animal that you have a legal and ethical duty to ensure the animal is not in distress and to protect that animal from any circumstances that are likely to cause distress,” says Eileen Drever, the BC SPCA’s senior officer protection and stakeholder relations

“It is also an important reminder for anyone looking to add a puppy to their home to ensure that they are dealing with responsible breeders.”