Ontario man found guilty of animal cruelty after forcing trapped kitten to breathe cannabis smoke

A North Bay man charged with animal cruelty has been found guilty and sentenced to two years probation and a decade-long prohibition on living with or owning any animal.

Cassidy “Marcus” Beaucage, 20, was charged after a post on social media showed three youths forcing a kitten to breathe cannabis by trapping it in a sleeping bag and filling the bag with smoke. He was found guilty on March 6 of causing an animal to be in distress.

“A video had been posted on social media of three young individuals restraining a kitten in a sleeping bag,” said Ontario SPCA Inspector Nicole Driscoll in a press release.

“These individuals continued to blow marijuana and tobacco smoke into the sleeping bag, and ultimately the kitten’s face, repeatedly.”

Beaucage was apprehended last June after an officer with the Ontario SPCA and the North Bay and District Humane Society received a call about the abuse and visited his home. Beaucage admitted to the crime but the officer was told by a family member that the cat had since been re-homed.

“We are pleased to see the Provincial Court System is taking these types of investigations seriously and we are happy with the outcome,” added Driscoll, of the North Bay and District Humane Society.

Veterinarians are seeing increasing numbers of pets who have been exposed to cannabis, via secondhand smoke or edibles. If you suspect your pet has consumed a cannabis product, contact your local veterinary clinic immediately.