B.C. man convicted of animal cruelty sent to jail after breaching conditions: SPCA

Three emaciated dogs can be seen in this handout photo (BC SPCA).

A Clearwater, B.C., man convicted of animal cruelty will serve the remainder of his sentence in jail after a court terminated his conditional sentence order for breaching house arrest.

Kurtis Elliot is expected to remain in custody until this summer, according to a BC SPCA news release on Monday.

He was found guilty of animal cruelty in May 2025, following an SPCA investigation that led to the seizure of 15 dogs and puppies from his property.

“The animals were discovered to be living in distress amongst built-up feces, suffering from frostbite due to being kept outdoors in subzero temperatures,” the SPCA said in a statement. “They were severely emaciated and without access to food or water.”

The SPCA added that the dogs were so hungry they ate anything they could find, including plastic, bedding, and plywood.

Despite extensive veterinary care, three of the dogs had to be euthanized due to “poor physical and psychological conditions.”

On May 27, 2025, Elliot was given a one-year conditional sentence.

He was prohibited from owning or having custody or control of animals for 10 years, with the exceptions of one adult cat, and a number of goldfish that were already in his possession.

The SPCA said Elliot breached his house arrest conditions in September 2025.

After the court reinstated his conditional sentence in December, he violated the terms again one week later.

The order was revoked on Jan. 27, 2026, and he will serve the rest of his sentence in custody, where he is expected to remain until early July.