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Stay two metres away from pets, judge orders rancher
If Carole Haughton goes to a friend’s house and a dog shows up at the door, she must back away, the woman was told Monday. She can only be within two metres of a pet if it passes by with someone on a public street.
Provincial court judge Stella Frame made the new order after Haughton appeared at the Kamloops courthouse with defence lawyer Ken Walker to turn herself in.
A warrant had been issued for the woman’s arrest last Nov. 22 after concerns she had breached her bail by selling a puppy to a Richmond man.
Lawyer Ken Walker told the court the RCMP investigated the incident and concluded Haughton had not breached her bail. She was only involved in the transfer of Canadian Kennel Club registration for the puppy, as she was the previous registered owner. The dog was being cared for by someone else.
Prosecutor Chris Balison noted the SPCA recommended a charge of breach of bail, but the Crown has decided not to proceed with the charge.
Judge Frame told Haughton there is no “wiggle room” in the new conditions. “There are no grey areas, it is straight black and white,” said the judge.
“It is almost impossible,” Haughton replied.
“You will have to make it possible,” Frame said.
Haughton is back in court Dec. 12, for the start of a trial on animal cruelty charges. An earlier set of similar charges stemming from July 2009 will continue next year.
Haughton, 60, has served 75 days in jail in recent months for breaching the terms of bail orders prohibiting her from having “care or control” of pets like cats, dogs and birds.
She is allowed to interact with domestic livestock for the purpose of earning a living. A B.C. Supreme Court judge also granted Haughton permission to possess 20 sheep, one guard dog for the flock and one cat to control mice at her Knutsford ranch house.
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