Winnipeg couple get 12 years for killing and torturing animals
Judge sentenced Irene Lima, 56, and Chad Kabecz, 41, to 12 years in prison after they pleaded guilty last November
Author of the article:Spiro Papuckoski
Published Feb 17, 2026 • 2 minute read
Winnipeg police
A Winnipeg Police Service vehicle. Photo by file /Postmedia Network
A Winnipeg couple responsible for the sickening deaths and torture of more than 90 animals received the harshest animal cruelty sentence in Canadian history.
Last week, a judge sentenced both Irene Lima, 56, and Chad Kabecz, 41, to 12 years in prison after they each pleaded guilty last November to six charges of animal cruelty.
Justice Jeffrey Harris also handed Lima and Kabecz lifetime bans on owning, possessing or being near animals.
“I cannot begin to perceive the suffering,” Harris said during sentencing, reports CTV News.
In delivering the sentence, the judge read from the Winnipeg Humane Society’s community impact statement, which documented some of the trauma experienced by staff who fielded calls from the public which included horrific details of animal abuse.
“The impact of animal cruelty cases causes ripples,” the animal shelter said in a statement share to social media.
“It touches animal rescues, pet owners, and every person in Winnipeg who believes animals deserve protection and compassion.”
The shelter said its impact statement outlined the collective hurt experienced by the horrific acts of animal cruelty.
“As an organization that advocates for those without a voice, we recognize there were more to be heard beyond the victims,” they shared.
CONTENT WARNING: DISTURBING DETAILS
The pair was arrested in October 2024 after Winnipeg Police received a report from Manitoba’s Veterinarian Animal Welfare office two months earlier about videos and photographs of animals being killed and tortured. Police said the content was posted on the dark web.
They were charged with several offences including killing or injuring animals and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
However, upon further investigation, police said an analysis of the electronic devices seized during a search warrant uncovered hundreds of videos and photographs, and thousands of encrypted communications between the duo.
Underground network
Investigators determined that the couple set up an underground black-market network in June 2024 that required new members to submit a video of themselves killing an animal to gain entry.
According to police, more than 75 animals were filmed or photographed being tortured, crushed and killed between May 20, 2024 and Oct. 7, 2024.
In addition, investigators discovered several images of child pornography had been accessed on a device belonging to Lima and Kabecz.
The pair was re-arrested in November 2024 and charged with accessing child pornography, make, print, publish or possess child pornography, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, four counts of bestiality, and six counts each of killing or injuring animals and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Police said the investigation, dubbed Project Artemis, went beyond Canada’s borders and reached several other countries. Law enforcement agencies in those countries pursued their own investigations.
Emerging threat
“While animal cruelty is illegal in Canada, our laws still fail to adequately address the possession and distribution of animal torture content, material increasingly linked to violent online extremism that targets vulnerable youth,” Humane Canada said in an online statement after the sentence was handed down.
The non-profit animal welfare organization said it will be urging the federal government to address the emerging threat of animal cruelty networks by passing Bill C-16 to “ensure these acts, and the exploitation behind them, face meaningful consequences.”
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Judge sentenced Irene Lima, 56, and Chad Kabecz, 41, to 12 years in prison after they pleaded guilty last November
Author of the article:Spiro Papuckoski
Published Feb 17, 2026 • 2 minute read
Winnipeg police
A Winnipeg Police Service vehicle. Photo by file /Postmedia Network
A Winnipeg couple responsible for the sickening deaths and torture of more than 90 animals received the harshest animal cruelty sentence in Canadian history.
Last week, a judge sentenced both Irene Lima, 56, and Chad Kabecz, 41, to 12 years in prison after they each pleaded guilty last November to six charges of animal cruelty.
Justice Jeffrey Harris also handed Lima and Kabecz lifetime bans on owning, possessing or being near animals.
“I cannot begin to perceive the suffering,” Harris said during sentencing, reports CTV News.
In delivering the sentence, the judge read from the Winnipeg Humane Society’s community impact statement, which documented some of the trauma experienced by staff who fielded calls from the public which included horrific details of animal abuse.
“The impact of animal cruelty cases causes ripples,” the animal shelter said in a statement share to social media.
“It touches animal rescues, pet owners, and every person in Winnipeg who believes animals deserve protection and compassion.”
The shelter said its impact statement outlined the collective hurt experienced by the horrific acts of animal cruelty.
“As an organization that advocates for those without a voice, we recognize there were more to be heard beyond the victims,” they shared.
CONTENT WARNING: DISTURBING DETAILS
The pair was arrested in October 2024 after Winnipeg Police received a report from Manitoba’s Veterinarian Animal Welfare office two months earlier about videos and photographs of animals being killed and tortured. Police said the content was posted on the dark web.
They were charged with several offences including killing or injuring animals and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
However, upon further investigation, police said an analysis of the electronic devices seized during a search warrant uncovered hundreds of videos and photographs, and thousands of encrypted communications between the duo.
Underground network
Investigators determined that the couple set up an underground black-market network in June 2024 that required new members to submit a video of themselves killing an animal to gain entry.
According to police, more than 75 animals were filmed or photographed being tortured, crushed and killed between May 20, 2024 and Oct. 7, 2024.
In addition, investigators discovered several images of child pornography had been accessed on a device belonging to Lima and Kabecz.
The pair was re-arrested in November 2024 and charged with accessing child pornography, make, print, publish or possess child pornography, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, four counts of bestiality, and six counts each of killing or injuring animals and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Police said the investigation, dubbed Project Artemis, went beyond Canada’s borders and reached several other countries. Law enforcement agencies in those countries pursued their own investigations.
Emerging threat
“While animal cruelty is illegal in Canada, our laws still fail to adequately address the possession and distribution of animal torture content, material increasingly linked to violent online extremism that targets vulnerable youth,” Humane Canada said in an online statement after the sentence was handed down.
The non-profit animal welfare organization said it will be urging the federal government to address the emerging threat of animal cruelty networks by passing Bill C-16 to “ensure these acts, and the exploitation behind them, face meaningful consequences.”
Humane Canada | Canada’s Voice for Animals | Breaking News! A Winnipeg couple responsible for the torture and deaths of more than 90 animals has received the harshest animal cruelty... | Instagram
204 likes, 13 comments - humanecanada on February 11, 2026: "Breaking News! A Winnipeg couple responsible for the torture and deaths of more than 90 animals has received the harshest animal cruelty...
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Winnipeg Humane Society
Justice. Today, the judge in the Lima/Kabecz case delivered an unprecedented ruling: a 12-year sentence and lifetime ban on being around animals for each perpetrator. This marks the highest...
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Winnipeg pair sentenced to 12 years in prison on animal cruelty charges
A Winnipeg man and woman who pleaded guilty to multiple charges of animal cruelty last year learned their sentence in the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba Wednesday afternoon.
Winnipeg couple get 12 years for killing and torturing animals
Winnipeg couple responsible for the deaths and torture of more than 90 animals received the harshest sentence in Canadian history. Read more