A provincial court judge has found a Colwood man guilty of animal cruelty for badly beating his pit-bull-mix dog with a baseball bat.
Joseph Jansen White was convicted Friday of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal. The case was brought to the Crown’s attention after a B.C. SPCA cruelty investigation into the April 1, 2014, beating in White’s home.
“The judge found there ‘was no justifiable reason’ for his actions, which were horrific, and left poor Bryn unable to walk, eat or drink,” Erika Paul, senior animal protection officer for Vancouver Island, said in a statement.
The animal was surrendered to the SPCA the day after the beating. White was released on bail pending sentencing, with several conditions, including that he not own an animal, reside where animals are present or contact his co-accused in the attack, Sandee Johnston, who pleaded guilty to a lesser charge earlier this year and was given six months’ probation.
White’s next court appearance is set for Thursday to fix a date for his sentencing.
