Protesters gathered outside the W.G. Davies Building on March 29 to highlight what they say is a too-light sentence for Robyn St. Laurent, who pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Protection Act on March 21.
Judge Brian Hendrickson gave St. Laurent six months to pay a fine of $1,000. He also imposed a five-year ban on owning, having custody of, controlling, or residing with animals. St. Laurent must allow access to her premises by any peace officer to ensure she is not violating her ban, and must forfeit any animals found.
Protest organizer Kimberly Epp held a sign displaying cat collars and asking, “Did one of your fur babies never return?” and “Are 100 dead cats worth ONLY $1000?”
Epp’s sign also displayed photos allegedly from St. Laurent’s case showcasing the cruelty of her treatment of animals under her care.
“It basically just got swept under the rug,” Epp said. “I’d like to see harsher animal abuse penalties. And I’d like to see a lifetime ban on animals for the both of them throughout Canada, not just Saskatchewan. Because they will continue to own animals. They already have owned animals while they still have had a ban.”
St. Laurent’s partner, Dylan Gellert, is her co-accused and was scheduled to appear in court on March 29.
Crown prosecutor Rob Parker gave evidence in St. Laurent’s case stating that animal protection officers were forced to wear protective suits and masks due to health and safety concerns in St. Laurent and Gellert’s residence.
The animals that St. Laurent and Gellert had control over had little food or water, leading to malnutrition concerns. Feces and urine were found throughout the residence, and ammonia was at toxic levels for both humans and animals.
The animal rights protest group said in a news release issued before the protest that, “After deliberately attempting to get her case thrown out with eight adjournments, this animal abuser and cat killer received a measly $1,000 fine and a five-year ban on owning animals. She already had a ban but continued to own cats, even raccoon kits.”
Jasmine Ghesquiere, one of the protesters, alleged that St. Laurent and Gellert were guilty of much more than neglect.
“I know the worst of what wasn’t brought up in court,” Ghesquiere said.
“I do too,” Epp agreed.
“Not only do I want Robyn to get a harsher sentence and a lifetime ban on animals,” Ghesquiere continued, “I think that everything regarding animal abuse laws should be changed to have a harsher sentence. . . And there should be mental health (care) involved for those who do commit animal abuse.”
St. Laurent’s defence lawyer, Adam Fritzler, said she was facing “dire personal circumstances,” including sleeping in her car and being in and out of the hospital. Judge Hendrickson took St. Laurent’s circumstances into account in imposing her sentence.
“That sentence didn’t meet the crime,” Epp said. “A lot of it didn’t even come up in court, and it’s just so unfair to the voiceless.”
