Owner charged with cruelty

Photo: Facebook - BC SPCA Kelowna Branch

A Kelowna man faces three animal cruelty related charges after surrendering his dog to the SPCA.

Roland Maxson, in his late 60s, voluntarily surrendered his approximately 8-year-old cocker spaniel to the Kelowna SPCA last September. Immediately staff were concerned and disturbed by the dog's condition.

“It was taken to the vet right away,” says Kathy Woodward, senior animal protection officer with the BC SPCA.

“The dog was suffering from very, very severe eye and ear infections. It had skin conditions. It was severely matted.”

She says the dog showed advanced tooth decay and its eyes were crusted shut. When her constable first approached the dog in the yard, they could smell the infection from 8-feet away.

“The dog was in really, really poor condition,” says Woodward.

Given the condition of the dog, the veterinarian believed it had been suffering for some time.

“He said it was in that condition and suffering for several months, possibly even a year or longer,” adds Woodward.

Sadly, the dog could not be saved and was euthanized.

Following the investigation by the animal cruelty team, Maxson was charged this April under the criminal code with causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal and an owner failing to provide necessaries for animal.

He is also charged under provincial legislation with causing an animal to continue to be in distress.

Maxson had his first court appearance this week and is expected back in court June 2 to consult with counsel.