A Maple Ridge couple charged with abusing their dog has been banned from owning animals for three years.
Wendy Klassen and John Warren were handed the sentence Monday in Port Coquitlam Provincial Court after pleading guilty to one count each of causing an animal to continue to be in distress under the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals Act.
Criminal code charges were stayed.
The BC SPCA visited the couple's home in February 2010 after receiving a report about a dog that had been hit by a car and was later seen limping.
When constables contacted the owners, the couple admitted that they had not taken Max, a 15-month-old rottweiler mix, to the vet.
The SPCA issued an order for the dog to be taken to a clinic and claim the couple eventually took him for an examination but refused the treatment recommended by the veterinarian.
The dog, who was kept outdoors on a chain, was seized by B.C. SPCA constables and taken for ongoing veterinary care, but had to be humanely euthanized after treatment options were exhausted.
Besides the three-year ban on owning animals, the couple were fined $115 each.
Although pleased that the couple pleaded guilty, the SPCA wanted a longer ban on owning animals.
"We are pleased that .. the owners acknowledged their failure to provide Max with the care that he desperately needed," said Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations.
"However the extent of this dog's suffering clearly demonstrated that they should not have the privilege of owning animals in the future."