Spring Valley woman pleads not guilty to animal cruelty charge

A Spring Valley, P.E.I. woman has pleaded not guilty to a charge of animal cruelty.

Sandra Helen Tomalin, 74, entered the plea in Summerside provincial court on Dec. 15.

She is accused of causing pain or injury to a cat.

Tomalin was convicted in two other provinces of neglecting animals.

• Twice convicted of animal neglect, P.E.I. woman faces fresh charge

In 2010 in Ontario she pleaded guilty to failing to provide adequate care to about 100 dogs. She was also handed a lifetime banfromowning any dogs in that province.

Then, in 2011, she was found guilty of mistreating a herd of horses in New Brunswick and was banned from owning any animals for 10 years in that province.

Those bans are only enforceable in the province where they were imposed.

Her trial on the animal cruelty chargeis scheduled for Jan. 16 in Summerside, P.E.I.

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