Judge hands lifetime animal ban in Battle River neglect case, spares woman jail

Ellen Haudeck leaves North Battleford provincial court following her appearnace on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW) (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

Judge hands lifetime animal ban in Battle River neglect case, spares woman jail A judge has permanently banned a Battle River-area woman from ever owning animals after describing the neglect inflicted on dozens of horses, dogs and cats as being at “the high end” of the spectrum of animal neglect cases. Instead of spending time in jail, Judge Kevin Hill sentenced Ellen Haudeck on Wednesday to a 4-month conditional sentence order, followed by 20 months of probation. It means she can serve her sentence in the community under strict conditions.

The Crown had been seeking a 12-month conditional sentence and a lifetime ban on animal ownership. The judge did impose a lifetime prohibition on owning, having custody or control of, or residing with animals, ordered 40 hours of community service and directed Haudeck to continue counselling and participate in any additional programming required by her supervisor or probation officer.