Two North Saanich residents were charged with animal cruelty, after a starving goat from their property had to be euthanized.
In May, a neighbour saw a small goat looking unwell on the rural property and took action.
“The emaciated female goat was lying on the ground, too weak to stand and covered in dry fecal matter,” said Erika Paul, B.C. SPCA constable. “The neighbour rushed the animal to a veterinarian where she had to be euthanized to relieve her suffering.”
The SPCA seized the body for a post-mortem examination, which revealed the goat had bronchopneumonia, a condition caused by a parasitic infection. Its immune system was weak from emaciation and was near death from starvation.
In addition, the goat had an untreated injury which had caused it to lose one of its legs, Paul said.
“Apparently when she was born she was stepped on by a cow and the owners didn’t seek any kind of veterinary care for her injury.”
The SPCA sent the file to B.C. Crown counsel, who recently approved charges against the two accused.
Dave and Dennis Bowcott, a son and father, respectively, who live in North Saanich, are each charged with animal cruelty. They are scheduled to appear in court in Victoria on Dec. 15.
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