Dufresne woman fined for ‘lesser role’ in hoarding animals: judge

A Dufresne woman who hoarded dozens of animals but “played a lesser role” in their care was handed a fine and animal ownership ban in a Steinbach court room.

Elizabeth Tschritter, 40, pleaded guilty to violating Manitoba’s Animal Care Act in a Steinbach courtroom on May 15. The violations don’t count as criminal charges.

The Carillon previously covered Tschritter’s husband and co-accused Albert Tschritter’s March 20 sentencing hearing. McGill, who was also the assigned Crown prosecutor for that case, read out the facts for the case.

Provincial officials received a call on June 1, 2023 about dogs kept in poor conditions on a Dawson Road property, he told the court at the time.

When animal care inspectors arrived at the home, they found 35 dogs, 12 ducks, nine geese, four chickens, 15 rats, three rabbits, five guinea pigs and 12 pigeons. All animals needed medical care and were kept in unsanitary conditions, without food or water.

Photos filed as evidence showed dogs covered in feces, rats in cages with urine-soaked wood shavings and ducklings kept in a small boxes.

Neither Tschritter or Albert had breeding licences. Officials ordered both Tschritter and Albert to improve the animals’ living conditions. When the inspectors returned on June 12, they seized 12 dogs after no changes were made.

One month later, Albert was told he could own only one dog and one snake for three years. But in September 2023, RCMP officers and provincial officials seized 24 dogs, one cat, three cockatiels and 30 chickens.

Albert was sentenced to a $298 fine and a three-year ban on owning animals.

Defense lawyer Wendy Martin White said the husband was the primary person responsible for the living conditions the animals were found in, but Tschritter accepted her inaction played a role.

“She certainly takes responsibility to the extent that she knew what was going on and should have done something, and I think that’s an important distinction from the husband,” Martin White told the courtroom.

Both co-accused were from Germany and don’t have Canadian citizenship.

People who knew Tschritter and Albert dropped off unwanted dogs after at their property after the pandemic, she said. Both co-accused had a “hard time” saying no to the extra animals, MartinWhite said.

As more animals came onto the property, Albert had a “significant” mental health crisis and began drinking alcohol “a ton,” she said. He became more depressed and started not “pulling his weight” for the animals, which were Albert’s responsibility and previously brought him joy, Martin White said.

Tschritter and Albert’s marriage further deteriorated. Albert plead guilty to aggravated assault against Tschritter in January.

Martin White said the animal care circumstances were “extremely out of character” for Tschritter and was created through the combination of a domestic violence and stress from raising six children.

“She endured an abusive marriage for a very lengthy time, approximately 18 years before she finally found the courage to leave. She still has deep trauma and suffering,” Martin White said.

The couple separated about one-and-half years ago because of the assault. Tschritter moved to Steinbach to be away from her husband.

Tschritter dabbed tears from her eyes throughout the hearing, breaking down when she was offered a chance to speak.

“I wish there was more that I couldn’ve done at that moment,” she said.

“I know that I did love all of them (the animals).”

Provincial court Judge Cynthia Devine said she would “reluctantly” accept the jointly-recommended sentence of a $298 fine and three year animal ownership prohibition. She said Tschritter had a role in the care of the animals, but also recognized how domestic abuse and a “violent marriage” impacts someone’s priorities.

“It is hard to comprehend the smallness and the ‘containedness’ that she would have been experiencing, and likely at that point her primary consideration was the life and well-being of her children. The animals may have taken a lesser important role, because, of course, we have no information that the children suffered.” Devine said.

She told the court she believes the fine Albert received was not high enough and questioned why there wasn’t a life-time animal ownership ban. But since he got the fine and was “more morally” responsible, Devine said, Tschritter would receive the same penalty.

She also imposed a three year ban from owning any animals, except one dog that would live in Tschritter’s Steinbach home.