B.C. couple who had 177 animals seized from property convicted of animal cruelty

Photos from a Ladysmith, B.C. property raided by the SPCA in late 2023. The couple, formerly of Swift Current, Sask., was found guilty of animal abuse in a Duncan courtroom on April 4. (Courtesy: Marley Daviduk)

A couple who had nearly 200 animals in distress – including dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, quail, goats, and rats – seized from their Vancouver Island property have been convicted of animal cruelty, according to the B.C. SPCA.

Rhees William Kendall and Tanisha Lynn Kendall were each convicted of one count of willfully causing or permitting unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird, the animal welfare charity said in a news release.

In 2023, a total of 177 animals were seized from the Kendalls’ Ladysmith property.

“Many of the animals were emaciated,” said Eileen Drever, senior officer for protection and stakeholder relations with the B.C. SPCA.

“They were all living in unsanitary conditions, with a lack of adequate food and water. A lack of appropriate veterinary care for the animals was also evident as many had unaddressed medical concerns.”

They have each been ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and banned from “owning, breeding, purchasing or selling, having the custody or control of or residing in the same premises as any animal or bird for a period of 10 years,” according to the B.C. SPCA. The couple has been allowed to keep one dog, one cat and one budgie – as long as they submit proof the animals have been spayed.

“This sentencing sends a clear message that abuse and neglect of animals will not be tolerated,” Drever said.

The B.C. SPCA also noted that the couple is facing additional animal cruelty charges in Saskatchewan.

The sentencing decision has not been published, but a 2024 appeal of the seizure of the animals provides more information about what was happening on what the Kendalls described as their “hobby farm.”

The investigation into the property was prompted by multiple complaints from neighbours to the B.C. SPCA’s cruelty hotline and a search warrant was ultimately executed on Oct. 31, 2023, according to the British Columbia’s Farm Industry Review Board’s decision on the appeal.

On that day, 13 dogs, three cats, 14 goats, and 31 chickens were seized.

“Many of the dogs were in crates that were dirty with urine and feces. Some of the dogs had no food or water and some were underweight. The cats were underweight with notable head shaking and brown debris in their ears. Fourteen goats were found free-ranging in an area behind the house, and most were found to be underweight. Many of the free-roaming chickens were underweight and emaciated. There was not enough shelter and bedding for the goats and chickens,” the decision said.

Roughly two weeks later, another search warrant was executed, resulting in the seizure of one dog, one cat, two snakes, one rabbit, 28 chickens, four ducks, 31 quail and 48 rats – all of the animals were deemed to be in distress “due to a lack of adequate food, water, and shelter as well as unsanitary living conditions,” the decision said.

“Many of the animals had health issues related to inadequate shelter, management, and sanitation, such as the respiratory disease in the poultry, bite wounds in the rats, and intestinal parasites in the goats,” the decision continued.

The total number of animals in the care of the B.C. SPCA fluctuated as additional animals were surrendered, seized animals died, and others reproduced. For instance, the decision noted that 13 goats and 35 rats were born in the custody of the B.C. SPCA.

The review board agreed to return two snakes to the Kendalls, but denied the return of any other animals.

“The panel finds that returning the animals to the appellants’ care would result in further, foreseeable distress to the animals,” the board’s decision said.

“Without significant improvements to the property and the appellants’ practices, the animals will again suffer from the lack of adequate husbandry and care, the unsanitary and hazardous living conditions, the insufficient veterinary care, and the general neglect for the animals and their living conditions.”

The review board’s decision also ordered the Kendalls to pay the B.C. SPCA nearly $90,000 for the cost of caring for the animals.

The B.C. SPCA is asking anyone who witnesses the Kendalls breaching the court-ordered ban on keeping animals to call 1-855-622-7722.