Hefty fine for Kamloops man who poisoned neighbour's dog
An 81-year-old Kamloops man who killed a neighbour's dog by leaving a bowl of antifreeze-soaked bread on the edge of his property has been handed a hefty fine.
Attilio Sirianni pleaded guilty in Kamloops provincial court on Monday, June 4, to one count of leaving poison for animals.
In November 2010, a woman living on the property bordering Sirianni's Westsyde hobby farm took her dog to the vet after the animal began vomiting profusely, court heard.
"Several tests were conducted that revealed the dog's kidneys were shutting down due to the ingestion of antifreeze," said Crown prosecutor Chris Balison.
"Despite treatment, other organs began to shut down in addition to the kidneys."
The dog, a five-year-old Labrador cross named Mia, died five days after the poisoning.
An investigation by BCSPCA constables uncovered a bowl of antifreeze-soaked bread on Sirianni's property.
He admitted to leaving the poisoned bread out, but told investigators he didn't think a neighbouring pet would be harmed.
Balison described antifreeze poisoning as a very painful way for animals to die.
"When an animal ingests antifreeze, it will usually die within 36 hours," he said.
"Animals who ingest antifreeze suffer tremendously. The death is slow and drawn out."
In court, defence lawyer Graham Kay said Sirianni was trying to protect his cattle and chickens from coyotes.
Kay asked for a conditional discharge, while Balison was seeking a two-year probation term, a $2,000 fine and a restitution order.
Kamloops provincial court Judge Chris Cleavely wasn't buying Sirianni's coyote story.
"It strikes me that there was a degree of pre-meditation to Mr. Sirianni's actions," he said.
"Dogs were bugging his cattle and likely his chickens, and Mr. Sirianni used a technique that is sometimes very common to dissuade household pets from being a nuisance."
Cleavely fined Sirianni $2,000 and placed him on probation for one year, with conditions he stay away from his neighbour and not own or reside with any dogs.
He is also banned from possessing antifreeze outside of regular vehicle use.
In addition, Sirianni will have to pay $886.12 in restitution to the dog owner to cover vet costs and another $173.63 to the SPCA for its costs.
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