Ontario dognapper was 'just trying to help'
Harold Carmichael, QMI Agency
First posted: Thursday, November 13, 2014 11:27 AM EST | Updated: Thursday, November 13, 2014 11:40 AM EST
SUDBURY, Ont. — A northern Ontario woman who stole a family's dog because she was concerned the animal was in dire need of medical attention last April has been handed a suspended sentence and probation.
Heather Zeffer, 50, was also put on a peace bond.
"I didn't want to cause anything to anybody," Zeffer told Judge Normand Glaude on Wednesday. "I was only trying to save (the dog). Nobody was willing to help me. I just wanted to save the dog."
"None of your business to do that," Glaude told her, in a firm voice. "What should you have done?"
"I called the humane society, police and animal control," answered Zeffer.
"It's out of your hands," Glaude said, again in an elevated voice. "Do you have any pets? How would you like it if I went into your home and stole your pets."
"I was just trying to help," said Zeffer, through tears. "I couldn't do (nothing). It's not in my heart."
Zeffer, who had been charged with break, enter and theft in the theft of a German shepherd dog named Partner, pleaded not guilty to the charge, but guilty to the lesser charge of theft under $5,000.
Her one-year probation order includes the condition she have no contact with the dog's owners, and take any recommended counselling or treatment for alcohol and psychological issues.
"What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is a woman who has mental health issues," Glaude said. "It's our job to have a little bit of understanding and caring ... In the end, the dog is back home and we are going to take care of this young lady."
John Recoskie, Zeffer's lawyer, said his client, who has been active with different animal groups in Sudbury, suffers from depression, is on a disability pension, and is basically alone in life.
"In this situation, she felt ... in her point of view, the animal was not being cared for," he said. "Her intention was to take the animal for medical care."
Recoskie said Zeffer took the dog to a local veterinarian and ended up spending $550.
"She accepts she had no right to take the dog," said the lawyer. "She regrets any hurt, any sense of loss, any pain the family developed. She feels badly for what she put the Hasketts through."
The dog's owner, Neil Haskett, told court his family resents the accusation they were not providing adequate care to their dog, and doubted Zeffer's remorse.
He said Zeffer swore at him and his wife every time they came to court about the case.
Court heard Partner was taken from the Hasketts' Sudbury home April 9. The next day, the Hasketts spotted Zeffer walking a shaved German shepherd.
The Hasketts confronted Zeffer, police were called, and a veterinarian confirmed it was the Hasketts' dog.
Zeffer initially said the dog had been dropped off in her backyard by PetSave and it had scabies.
Security camera footage also showed Zeffer approaching the Hasketts' home from the back and looking inside, and in front of the home with Partner.
harold.carmichael@sunmedia.ca
William Haskett, 4, hugs the family dog, Partner, as William's dad, Neil, looks on outside the family home in Sudbury, Ont., in this April 14, 2014 file photo. (JOHN LAPPA/QMI Agency)
Ontario dognapper was 'just trying to help' | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
Harold Carmichael, QMI Agency
First posted: Thursday, November 13, 2014 11:27 AM EST | Updated: Thursday, November 13, 2014 11:40 AM EST
SUDBURY, Ont. — A northern Ontario woman who stole a family's dog because she was concerned the animal was in dire need of medical attention last April has been handed a suspended sentence and probation.
Heather Zeffer, 50, was also put on a peace bond.
"I didn't want to cause anything to anybody," Zeffer told Judge Normand Glaude on Wednesday. "I was only trying to save (the dog). Nobody was willing to help me. I just wanted to save the dog."
"None of your business to do that," Glaude told her, in a firm voice. "What should you have done?"
"I called the humane society, police and animal control," answered Zeffer.
"It's out of your hands," Glaude said, again in an elevated voice. "Do you have any pets? How would you like it if I went into your home and stole your pets."
"I was just trying to help," said Zeffer, through tears. "I couldn't do (nothing). It's not in my heart."
Zeffer, who had been charged with break, enter and theft in the theft of a German shepherd dog named Partner, pleaded not guilty to the charge, but guilty to the lesser charge of theft under $5,000.
Her one-year probation order includes the condition she have no contact with the dog's owners, and take any recommended counselling or treatment for alcohol and psychological issues.
"What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is a woman who has mental health issues," Glaude said. "It's our job to have a little bit of understanding and caring ... In the end, the dog is back home and we are going to take care of this young lady."
John Recoskie, Zeffer's lawyer, said his client, who has been active with different animal groups in Sudbury, suffers from depression, is on a disability pension, and is basically alone in life.
"In this situation, she felt ... in her point of view, the animal was not being cared for," he said. "Her intention was to take the animal for medical care."
Recoskie said Zeffer took the dog to a local veterinarian and ended up spending $550.
"She accepts she had no right to take the dog," said the lawyer. "She regrets any hurt, any sense of loss, any pain the family developed. She feels badly for what she put the Hasketts through."
The dog's owner, Neil Haskett, told court his family resents the accusation they were not providing adequate care to their dog, and doubted Zeffer's remorse.
He said Zeffer swore at him and his wife every time they came to court about the case.
Court heard Partner was taken from the Hasketts' Sudbury home April 9. The next day, the Hasketts spotted Zeffer walking a shaved German shepherd.
The Hasketts confronted Zeffer, police were called, and a veterinarian confirmed it was the Hasketts' dog.
Zeffer initially said the dog had been dropped off in her backyard by PetSave and it had scabies.
Security camera footage also showed Zeffer approaching the Hasketts' home from the back and looking inside, and in front of the home with Partner.
harold.carmichael@sunmedia.ca
William Haskett, 4, hugs the family dog, Partner, as William's dad, Neil, looks on outside the family home in Sudbury, Ont., in this April 14, 2014 file photo. (JOHN LAPPA/QMI Agency)
Ontario dognapper was 'just trying to help' | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun
