Image Credit: Kamloops SPCA

By Victor Kaisar

Animal Cruelty

Clearwater breeder sentenced after guilty plea following large dog seizure in 2024

Nov 22, 2025 | 3:13 PM

CLEARWATER, B.C. — (UPDATE Nov. 24): A Clearwater woman had been prohibited from breeding dogs for sale for 10 years after she pled guilty to a charge of causing or permitting distress to animals.

Bonnie Milligan was also sentenced to a year of probation in Kamloops Provincial Court on Friday (Nov. 21). Milligan was facing animal cruelty charges after the BC SPCA seized dozens of dogs from her property in Clearwater in February, 2024.

Milligan was also facing charges of causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal and willfully neglecting an animal or failing to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care.

Online court records show other two charges were stayed by the Crown following Milligan’s guilty plea Friday.

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According to the BC SPCA, the 32 dogs that were seized last year were of varying ages and breeds, including dachshunds, poodles, mini schnauzers and various poodle-mix breeds. It also noted that a senior dachshund had to be euthanized after a large, abdominal mass was discovered to be a late-stage tumour.

In all, there were 59 dogs found during a search of the property, and the animals that remained with Milligan had to undergo regular veterinary care.

“Our officers respond to investigations daily and this one particular hit hard with them,” Eileen Drever, the BC SPCA’s Senior officer protection and stakeholder relations, said. “To see an animal suffering and these animals certainly suffered, it was certainly heartbreaking.”

As part of her sentence, Milligan will have to abide by conditions which include that she provide monthly updates on the health of her animals. She also has to follow an 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. curfew for the first six months of her probation.

Milligan was also given a 10-year ban on owning or possessing a dog for a commercial purpose.

“As far as I’m concerned, these animals were treated as a commodity and nothing more,” Drever added. “These are sentient beings and its outrageous because they feel the way we feel, they feel pain and to be treated that way its just absolute outrageous.”

“If you’re looking to adopt an animals or to purchase one from a breeder, make sure its a reputable breeder.”

Drever is also urging people to contact the BC SPCA’s animal helpline at 1-855-622-7722 if they suspect animal cruelty, noting the SPCA got a warrant to search Milligan’s property following a tip from the public.

– With files from Dylana Kneeshaw/CFJC Today

Editors note: This story was updated on Nov. 24 to include comment from the BC SPCA.