Editor’s note: This article contains extremely graphic details depicting the sexual abuse of a dog. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
NANAIMO — A Qualicum Beach man will spend the next nine months behind bars, followed by two years of probation, after being sentenced for sexually assaulting his family’s dog.
The 34-year-old man, who can’t be named in order to protect his children’s identity, pleaded guilty to a charge of bestiality last year and was given the sentence by Judge Ronald Lamperson in a B.C. provincial court in Nanaimo on Tuesday, May 6.
During sentencing, Lamperson said while the offender’s diagnosis of a bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder to deal with anxiety, and history of childhood trauma did play a factor in his decision, a jail term was necessary for the abuse of the innocent animal.
“Of primary importance is the need for denunciation. I’ve concluded that a period of incarceration is necessary to properly express society’s condemnation of [the offender’s] reprehensible behaviour.”
Prosecutors requested one year behind bars and at least 18 months of probation, while the defence asked for a conditional sentence order and probation.
The maximum penalty for bestiality when the Crown proceeds summarily is up to two years in a provincial jail and a $5,000 fine.
Night of the offence
Court heard how on May 15, 2023, just before 10 p.m., the offender was caught by his then-wife sexually abusing their elderly 18-kilogram shepherd mix in the backyard of their home under their trampoline.
When confronted, he claimed he was killing the dog due to behavioural issues, but when the dog ran away and he turned to his wife, she saw lubrication on his penis, also discovered on the dogs anus and hindquarters.
She asked him to leave as their two children were asleep inside at the time, with the wife putting them to bed early due to her husband’s drinking the same day.
The wife reported he “went from a calm drunk to angry” in a short period of time after starting drinking beer in the morning.
After he refused to leave the home, she phoned the Oceanside RCMP, which he objected to.
When an officer arrived, he was met outside on the driveway by the offender, who said, unprompted, “I f**ked the dog,” and was arrested.
A vet’s examination of the dog in the days following found its injuries were consistent with sexual assault, and traces of the man’s DNA was found on the dog.
The dog eventually had to be put down due to its injuries.
The offender told the arresting officer he had consumed six beers on the day, while the officer observed him to be cooperative and coherent during his arrest.
The officer testified he had no reason to believe the man was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the arrest.
It wasn’t until the officer was in close proximity he was able to smell alcohol on the offender, and noticed his eyes were glassy.
He also failed a breathalyzer test.
However, when it came time to conduct a psychological evaluation on the offender in August 2024, he then claimed to have consumed 24 beers, a 26-ounce bottle of Fireball whiskey and two to three grams of magic mushrooms the night of the offence, claiming to be “completely out of it,” and having no memory of the incident.
Lamperson said it’s difficult to consider the level of impairment the offender claimed, as there was no evidence to substantiate it, besides his own word.
“This….evidence relies entirely on the accused self-reporting his behaviour and intoxication. The Crown submits that the accused had significantly exaggerated the role intoxication played in his offending.”
During the trial, the arresting officer testified the offender spoke clearly and appeared to understand his rights, and he didn’t observe any “signs of delusion” normally associated with magic mushroom impairment, nor the extreme intoxication consuming high amounts of alcohol would likely cause.
The doctor who conducted the psychological assessment concluded the man was not likely to reoffend in a sexual manner or cause further harm to the community, and was more likely to cause harm to himself if he continues to self-medicate.
They also said it was difficult to pinpoint the precise trigger for committing bestiality because the offender said he has no recollection of the event.
They also testified while bipolar disorders can cause impulsivity, difficulties with self-regulation, and high energy, including sexual energy, it does not cause “delusions, hallucinations, or disordered thinking.”
Lamperson spoke about how this case was unique, as other cases involving bestiality in Canada also involved other charges.
“All animals not living in the wild, including companion animals, livestock, and animals in industrial production settings, are under the complete dominion of human caretakers and are highly vulnerable to mistreatment and exploitation at the hands of those caretakers,” said Lamperson, quoting a previous court case. “They are at the mercy of those who are expected to care for them, and unlike some other victims of crime, are incapable of communicating their suffering.”
Sentence
The offender had no criminal record prior to his arrest.
Before being taken out of the courtroom, Lamperson allowed the man to say goodbye to his mother, who was present during most of the proceedings, along with another friend and the man’s girlfriend.
Sobbing deeply, she hugged her son, said they loved each other, with her commenting, “This is so wrong.”
The offender, who had remained mostly silent during the proceedings, told his mother, “I gotta go”, before being led away in handcuffs.
Probation orders include no contact with his ex-wife or their children unless authorized by a judge.
He is not allowed to be around domesticated animals of any kind for 10 years, and will be on the police-accessed national sex offenders registry, also for 10 years.
— With files from Ian Holmes.
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