Gellert Pleads Guilty To Animal Abuse
By Robert Thomas
The co-accused in a high profile animal abuse case has plead guilty to provincial animal abuse charges and received the same penalty as his co-accused.
Dylan Gellert plead guilty to charges under Section 4(2) of the provincial Animal Protection Act.
Section 4 (2) of the provincial Animal Protection Act states no person shall allow an animal in their care to be on distress or continue to be in distress.
In this case cats were found to be without proper food and water while living in filthy living conditions. The offences took place at 918 Montgomery Street West.
Gellert received the same $1,000 and five year prohibition on owning an animal or living in a home with animals as his co-accused and partner Robyn Ashley St Laurent.
Inside of the residence
In documents obtained by MJ Independent investigators detail the conditions of the home, the numbers of animals in distress as well as the number and physical description of dead cats found in a deep freeze on three separate occasions.
According to the documents investigators found 23 deceased cats in two freezers on July 16, 2019 additionally 22 deceased cats were found in two freezers on October 24, 2019.
“Necropsy of the deceased cats in the residence of Robyn St Laurent and Dylan Gellert seized on July 16, 2019 showed the cats had blunt trauma to heads and abdomens, spinal dislocation and as well as signs of pneumonia,” the documents stated.
The house where the animal abuse took place at - MJ Independent photo
Gellert did not appear in Court but was represented by Legal Aid counsel.
A Courthouse steps protest was held on Tuesday at the Moose Jaw Provincial Courthouse by a small group of animal activists wanting stronger sentences in the case.
Last Friday St Laurent's lawyer Regina Legal Aid lawyer Adam Fritzler said the sentence handed down was appropriate under existing case law.
“The sentence in terms of applicable laws was appropriate,” Fritzler told MJ Independent.
He pointed out “a review of case law in the province that is accurate” sentence for his client.
“The sentence was within the realm of existing case law,” Fritzler said.
The Province has responded they will not be toughening the Animal Protection Act as it was updated in 2018. The Province stated the issuance of penalties is up to the Courts and they cannot comment on this case.
Attempts to contact Gellert were unsuccessful as he is apparently homeless and no longer residing in Moose Jaw.