Winlaw animal cruelty trial set for August

Two days have been set aside in Nelson provincial court this summer for the trial of man accused of animal cruelty.

Joao Vieira will stand trial in late August on animal cruelty charges. This horse was seized from his Winlaw property this year, although the person in this photo submitted is not Vieira.

Joao Vieira will stand trial in late August on animal cruelty charges. This horse was seized from his Winlaw property this year, although the person in this photo submitted is not Vieira.

Two days have been set aside in Nelson provincial court this summer for the trial of man accused of animal cruelty.

Joao (John) Vieira’s case will be heard Aug. 30 and 31, according to court records.

He was charged with three offences after the BC SPCA seized 29 animals from a property near Winlaw earlier this year.

Nine sheep, seven goats, four horses, five large-breed dogs, two puppies, one cow and one rooster in various states of distress were rescued, the SPCA said. The carcasses of dead horses, a bull and a goat were also found on the property.

Vieira has been the focus of several investigations during recent years and has three previous animal cruelty convictions. He has also been charged four times with breaching conditions of his sentencing.

 

Nelson Star