Anderson Joe and Melissa Tooshley’s trial for animal cruelty is scheduled to begin on Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Duncan courthouse.
Lawyers for the defence and the prosecution are meeting for pre-trial conferences on Jan. 9 and Jan. 17 to prepare for the trial.
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Joe and Tooshley are to answer to charges of animal cruelty after a dog, called Teddy, was seized by BC SPCA special constables on Feb. 16, 2018, but died two days later from severe neglect.
If convicted, Joe and Tooshley face a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine and up to a lifetime ban on owning animals.
The case has mobilized animal rights groups, with numerous rallies and a call for changes to animal rights laws.
The trial is expected to continue on March 1, also beginning at 9:30 a.m at the Duncan courthouse.
