LETHBRIDGE, AB – She is never allowed to own a dog in the province of Alberta again

However, 59-year-old April Dawn Irving was not present to hear those words spoken by Judge Derek Redman in Lethbridge Provincial Court as he handed down his sentence on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

As the proceedings began, both Crown lawyer Tyler Raymond and Defense lawyer Bjoren Wolkmann hoped that Irving would show up, but neither knew for sure whether it would happen. Irving claimed a medical issue prevented her from appearing in person.

Both the Crown and Defense felt comfortable proceeding with the sentencing – a joint submission; something Judge Redman permitted. Irving has been banned from owning any dogs in Alberta for the rest of her natural life. She was also fined more than $15,000, not including another $2,000 in surcharges. Both penalties are at, or nearly at the maximums allowed under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act according to Raymond. Because she spent the equivalent of six months in jail prior to her guilty pleas she was alleviated of any obligation to pay the fines.

While delivering his sentence, Redman called Irving’s behavior “absolutely abhorrent.”

In late July, Irving pleaded guilty to four counts of causing or permitting an animal to be in or continue to be in distress. She also pleaded guilty to one count of failing to appear, stemming from a charge back in 2016. She was sentenced to 30 days time served in that instance.

Outside of the Lethbridge Courthouse Raymond told reporters it marked the end of a five-year venture to hold Irving accountable for what was the worst animal atrocity in Alberta’s history, and one of the worst in the country. He hoped the sentence serves as a deterrent for anyone who don’t properly care for their animals.

“But certainly, the Crown’s significant concern here was to see that miss Irving would never have the ability to own or care (for) or control a dog for the remainder of her life in this province,” he added.

Raymond concedes that there’s nothing to stop her from moving to another province – other than Saskatchewan where she also faces a ban on owning more than two dogs until 2023 – and acquiring more dogs.

“The extent of the order that has been issued and for which she has been sentenced…is that she is prohibited from having ownership or care in this province, the province of Alberta for the remainder of her life, but it does not extend beyond the borders of this province. And that’s not something either to the Crown to ask for, or the judge to sentence her to pursuant to the provisions of the Animal Protection Act of Alberta.”

In total, 211 dogs were seized from her property in Milk River. Many of the animals were chained or tethered to stakes, outside in the snow, starving, neglected and diseased. Five were found dead. Others could not be saved and had to be euthanized.

Throughout the last five years Irving maintained, “I loved them.”