Calgary, AB,
18
September
2020
|
15:36
America/Denver

Charges laid after animals seized from home

A joint investigation by the Calgary Police Service and Calgary Humane Society has resulted in two women being charged and seven animals seized from a residence in Erin Woods.

On Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, police were called to a residence, located in the 0 to 100 block of Erin Meadow Close S.E., for reports that neighbours could hear animals inside the home but had not seen the residents in several days. Police entered the residence in an attempt to check on the welfare of the residents and discovered five dogs and two cats inside the residence living in unsuitable conditions.

Investigators notified Calgary Community Standards who attended and assisted in removing the animals. Due to the condition of the home, evidence at the scene and the state of the animals, the joint investigation with the Calgary Humane Society was initiated and two women were taken into custody.

Stacey Lynn HODESS, 44, and Nicole Dawn VERONELLY, 40, both of Calgary, have been charged with seven counts each of causing pain and suffering to an animal and unnecessarily causing animals to suffer. They will next appear in court on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020.

“The environment that these animals were living in was so detrimental to their welfare that criminal charges were warranted,” says Brad Nichols, Senior Manager, Animal Cruelty investigations with Calgary Humane Society. “The animals are now safely under treatment. We are grateful to have such a robust multi-agency animal cruelty response in Calgary that allows for joint investigations like this.”

“This was a sad case of neglect where animals were left in extremely shocking conditions,” says Calgary Police Service Constable Dennis Smithson. “In these types of situations we work closely with our partners at the Calgary Humane Society to review the evidence and ensure that the individuals involved are held accountable.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

Case #20372799