B.C. dog breeder charged with animal cruelty

This photo, provided by the BC SPCA, shows three of the 32 dogs seized from a breeder.

A dog breeder in Clearwater, B.C., is facing animal cruelty charges stemming from a SPCA investigation last year, the charity announced Monday.

Bonnie Milligan was charged last week with willfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal and willfully neglecting an animal or failing to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care.

The charges come after the BC SPCA seized 32 dogs from a property in the municipality north of Kamloops including dachshunds, poodles and poodle mixes, and miniature schnauzers in February 2024.

“The dogs were owned by an irresponsible breeder who was keeping them in a dark building without adequate heating or bedding for the dogs. It was very unsanitary with an overwhelming ammonia smell,” said Eileen Drever with the BC SPCA in a news release last year. “The owners were not providing them with the necessary veterinary care, enrichment or socialization they desperately needed.”

The organization says Milligan is currently under court-ordered conditions limiting the number of dogs she is allowed to own, and she barred from using animals for commercial purposes like breeding. Her property is also subject to inspection without notice.

According to online court records, Milligan was born in 1952 and is not in custody. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 25.

If convicted, Milligan could face an up to $10,000 fine, two years in prison or both, as well as a ban from owning any animal, according to the BC SPCA.