Two-and-a-half years and three trial dates later, a dog maiming case is still at a standstill. On Aug. 22 a warrant was issued for Justin Lefthand, who faces four charges of animal cruelty when he didn’t appear for his trial in Turner Valley. Two civilian witnesses, the vet who treated the dogs and police officer were present to testify at the trial. Lefthand’s lawyer, Gloria Froese, asked to be removed from the case and the judge agreed to her request. This is the third trial that has not proceeded in the case. Two earlier trials were rescheduled. In August 2017 a trial was cancelled because Lefthand was in a residential addiction treatment program and then again in February 2018 because he had not been in communication with his lawyer and as a result she was not prepared to proceed. The charges against Lefthand were laid in relation to an incident that happened April 1, 2016. Two puppies were found on the Eden Valley Reserve shot with steel tip arrows. The dogs belonged to Lefthand’s aunt who surrendered the dogs to Kelly Cerato, founder of Calgary dog rescue group Tails of the Misunderstood Canine Rescue Society. She took in the dogs and arranged for their medical care. One puppy had a forearm amputated and the other had to have surgery to have an arrow surgically removed from its chest. Cerato has been to four court appearances and said it’s frustrating that the case isn’t going ahead. “It’s at the point of annoyance,” she said. “It’s over two years and I’ve still been interested in these two dogs – to be a voice for them.” The two dogs, Kitchi and Cheveyo, have been adopted and are happy and healthy, says Cerato. She still owes the vet $8,500 for the vet care for Kitchi and Cheveyo. “It doesn’t feel good,” she says. “It weighs on the clinic. They fronted us that money. It’s not a good feeling.” Anyone who wants to donate towards the dogs’ vet bill can contact McKnight 24 Hour Emergency Veterinary Hospital or make a donation at tailsofthemisunderstood.com The vet discounted the bill, she said, but there are still costs that can’t be avoided.
