A 45-year-old city woman has been found guilty of five counts of animal cruelty after an investigation into the treatment of animals in her care, specifically unsanitary conditions involving a large number of cats and a dog.

Last September seven cats and a dog were surrendered with the remaining seven cats later removed after the owner failed to comply with Ontario SPCA Act orders.

Joanne Langford-Champion was sentenced to a 10-year prohibition on owning animals, two years probation and is subject to random inspections by the Ontario SPCA during that time to ensure compliance.

She was also ordered to pay $985 in restitution to the North Bay and District Humane Society.

Filed under: ontario-spca