By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles

Delays Continue in Animal Cruelty Case

Feb 19, 2016 | 12:34 PM

LETHBRIDGE: Another strange delay in the animal cruelty case against April Dawn Irving.

Irving was charged in early 2015, after 201 dogs were seized from her property near Milk River, along with five more that were found dead. The dogs were discovered starving, dehydrated and chained to stakes in a yard.

In November, a psychiatric assessment was ordered for Irving, to examine her mental state at the time of the alleged offence, to determine if she can be held criminally responsible for her actions.

As of January, Irving had yet to attend an appointment to start the assessment, and a judge ordered that she appear in person on February 19 to explain the delays. Her lawyer was also told to bring proof that Irving had broken her leg, as that was one possible reason offered for why things hadn’t proceeded.

Friday her lawyer once again appeared, saying Irving was at a “healing place” in the mountains, and that she was being treated for her leg injury, which he provided proof of, and some mental health issues. He continued that they no longer wanted the psychiatric assessment and were prepared to move the matter forward.

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The judge promptly stated that a court order can not be ignored, and that at the very least the matter would have to go back in front of the judge who ordered the assessment in the first place. He also ordered that Irving appear in person February 22 before that judge, adding a warrant to hold, meaning if she fails to attend, a warrant for her arrest will be issued.