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Colwood couple faces cruelty charge in dog beating Pit bull cross in critical condition when taken into care by SPCA Arnold Lim News staff
“From a student perspective it is not an easy three years. You are finding yourself and figuring out who you are,” said McDowell-Powlowski, 17. “It’s incredible. Any teacher, any administrator, you are able to approach them and get help whenever you need. The faculty are the most inspirational people and you always have someone to look up to and go to. We wouldn’t be here at grad without the amazing staff.”
Criminal charges have been recommended against a Colwood couple in a case alleging the beating of their family dog back in April. A pit bull cross named Bryn that came into the care of the B.C. SPCA on April 1 had her head split open, a tooth broken off, a front leg broken and a deep laceration under its front leg. “It was pretty horrific. It was bluntforce trauma to the head,” SPCA spokesperson Lorrie Chortyk said of the injuries. “When she first came in, we were concerned she wouldn’t be able to walk again, but they have done a lot of veterinary treatment now. Unfortunately, animal abuse is not rare, but the level of brutality in this case was quite shocking.” Joseph White and Elizabeth Johnston will hear the charges against them when they make their first appearance in the Western Communities Courthouse at 9 a.m. on June 26. The charges relate to the attack itself, letting the dog suffer without medical attention and wilfully neglecting providing care for the dog, said B.C. SPCA constable Erika Paul. Criminal code convictions on animal cruelty charges have punishment ranging from fines to prohibition of owning animals to jail time or a combination.
PlEASE SEE: Belmont principal, Page A6
PlEASE SEE: Attacked dog, Page A6
Arnold Lim/News staff
Belmont valedictorian Molly McDowell-Powlowski will be graduating alongside approximately 400 other Grade 12 students at ceremonies tomorrow (June 7) at the University of Victoria. Her high school experience has taught her a lot, she says.
Class of 2014 ready to say so long A multi-talented group of Belmont students prepare for the next stage of life Arnold Lim News staff
Molly McDowell-Powlowski leaves Belmont secondary with mixed emotions. It hasn’t always been easy, but the soonto-be graduate said her three years at the school are a collective experience she will always remember. “Even though we are all nervous and kind of scared in what comes next, from the students’ perspective it is great to finally see the fruits of our labour,” she says. “To see that community at the end of
it, that is a great feeling.” The school valedictorian leads Belmont’s 2014 graduating class into tomorrow’s (June 7) ceremony at the University of Victoria, leaving behind a faculty and staff she says taught her not only the value of academics, but community. Students and teachers working together on initiatives such as the food drive 10,000 Tonight – roughly 20,000 items were collected for the Goldstream Food Bank last December – were also important pieces of her education, she adds.
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