BC SPCA seized an emaciated, chained dog in critical distress on Feb. 16. His collar was embedded in his neck and the dog died two days later. File photo courtesy BC SPCA.
A Cowichan Valley couple has pleaded not guilty in a horrific case of animal abuse.
A small group of demonstrators gathered outside the Duncan courthouse Tuesday morning. They were from the Justice for Teddy campaign, which is calling for maximum penalties against the Anderson Joe and Melissa Tooshley.
Teddy the dog was seized by the SPCA on Feb. 16. He was emaciated, chained and in critical distress. The SPCA also said there was a collar deeply embedded in its neck. The dog’s wound became infected and its head swelled to nearly three times its normal size.
The dog died from his injuries two days later.
BC SPCA announced on March 7 that charges had been laid against Joe and Melissa Tooshley. Joe and Tooshley entered not guilty pleas on a total of three counts through their lawyer on Tuesday. Joe is facing one count of cause unnecessary pain/suffering to an animal and one count of owner failing to provide necessaries for animal. Tooshley is facing one count of owner failing to provide necessaries for animal.
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