Charges of animal cruelty have been laid against a Courtenay woman accused of beating a seven-year-old teacup Chihuahua so severely that the dog had to be euthanized due to critical distress.
The charges come after an investigation by the BC SPCA.
Kylie Nikkels of Courtenay faces two counts of animal cruelty under the Criminal Code of Canada and makes her first court appearance on Oct. 20.
BC SPCA senior animal protection officer Tina Heary said the female Chihuahua named Bianca belonged to Nikkels’ grandmother and sustained the injuries on April 9, 2016, when left alone in the home with Nikkels.
The dog was later taken to a veterinary clinic suffering from severe hemorrhaging and a crushed skull and chest and was euthanized.
“It is so heart-breaking to think of the pain this little dog would have suffered,” said Heary. “We are pleased that the investigation has led to formal charges being laid.”
