An animal cruelty trial that began last year before the pandemic hit is scheduled to continue today. Dolores LaPlante is facing two criminal charges – permitting unnecessary pain, suffering or injuries to animals, and willful neglect or failure to supply food, shelter and care. Under the Saskatchewan Animal Protection Act, she is also charged with causing or permitting animals to be in distress.

LaPlante had more than 100 cats, two dogs and a turtle seized from her 400 square foot home in Elrose, in January of 2019. She is the founder of what she considers a home-based shelter called the Saskatchewan Alley Cats Association. A Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench judge allowed her to keep the two dogs following the seizure, and a cat was returned to its former owner.

LaPlante is scheduled for trial February 8th at Saskatoon Provincial Court.

In 2011, over 70 animals were seized from LaPlante’s home. In the 2011 case, she pleaded guilty to causing animals to be in distress while a criminal charge of animal neglect was stayed.