Animal cruelty charges approved against two West Kelowna residents

Photo: BC SPCA file photo

Animal cruelty charges have been approved against two West Kelowna residents for allegedly failing to address the health concerns of a dog involved in a fight. 

Kimberly Regensburger and George Tackaberry have both been charged with counts of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal, abandoning or neglecting an animal and failing to provide care to an animal. Regensburger is also facing an additional count of obstruction.

Court documents state the charges are related to allegations spanning Sept. 1, 2019 and Jan. 7, 2020.

The BC SPCA says September 2019 was the date given that the dog in question was last seen, but not treated, by a veterinarian. 

The SPCA is alleging two dogs were involved in a fight, leading to them both being taken to a vet clinic by a third party.

“One dog was treated and released while the second dog ‘Winston,’ was later deemed to be in critical distress,” the SPCA told Castanet News in an email. “The reason for the charges was that the owner and other caregiver failed to address concerns relating to the welfare of Winston’s health.”

The BC SPCA says it became involved in the case after being notified by a third party, and through an investigation, “a veterinarian deemed Winston in critical distress due to untreated ailments and injuries.”

“This coupled with the poor prognosis, Winston was euthanized, resulting in us moving forward with animal cruelty charges,” the SPCA statement concluded. 

None of the SPCA’s allegations have been proven in court.

Regensburger made a procedural court appearance Tuesday in Kelowna and will return to court on Jan. 26. Tackaberry is due in court on Jan. 21.