Pet seller barred from owning or selling animals

A Nova Scotia woman facing theft charges and barred from dealings with dogsis nowprohibited frombuying, selling or giving away any animal.

Gail Benoitwasconvicted in 2009of animal cruelty for selling sick and malnourished puppies. She appeared in Bridgewater provincial court on Tuesday as the Crown sought to extend her animal ban.

Lloyd Tancock, the Crown prosecutor,said he had witnesses prepared to testify in court but the defence did not challenge his motion. He said Benoit was previouslybarred from dealing with dogs, but now it's any animal.

"It was our concern that she shouldn't have any animals for sale, or buying, offering freewhatever," he said.

Benoit has been ordered to: "Not buy, sell, procure, take possession of or solicit for, or offer to buy, sell, procure or take possession of, any living creatures, whether wild or domesticated."

Benoit told reporters on Tuesday thatshe is misunderstood.

"You guys, you don't even know me," she said.

Benoit is due back in courtlater this month to enter a plea on the charge of stealingtwo dogs from New Brunswick. She's charged with fraud, theft under $5,000 and identity fraudin a case involving two white boxers she was supposed to be looking after for a New Brunswick woman.

In May,she asked the court to lift the ban on selling dogsas it was how she made her livelihood.

In January 2009, she wasfound guilty of two counts of animal crueltyfor selling sick and malnourished dogs.