Threat to poison dog receives two week sentence

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on August 25, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

Threatening to poison a dog and assault a police officer has netted a 45-year-old Lethbridge man a short custodial sentence.

Brian Neil McCoy was sentenced to 15 days in jail after he pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lethbridge provincial court to one count each of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and threats to cause injury or death to an animal.

On Aug. 25, 2021 a resident was walking his dog at the off leash dog park on Scenic Drive South when he came across McCoy who was living in a tent.

“When he approached the tent, Mr. McCoy came out and he threatened (the resident) and his dog, specifically telling him that he was going to poison his dog,” explained Julian Spearchief-Morris, articling student for the Crown’s office in Lethbridge.

The resident called police, who arrived shortly afterward and attempted to “assist” McCoy in removing his tent. During the incident McCoy told one of the officers he was going to bash her face in.

Calgary lawyer Robin McIntyre told court McCoy had sustained a shoulder injury, and after he was cut off from Workers Compensation support, his life went “sideways.” He became homeless and was living in a tent for about a year before finding himself in custody and trying to get his life in order.

McIntyre said McCoy hopes to get a job and “get his life back together” with the help of court-ordered psychological and psychiatric counselling.

In addition to his jail sentence, which is deemed served given the time he has already spent in remand custody, McCoy will be on probation for one year. During probation he is prohibited from any contact with the individuals he threatened, and from possessing weapons. He is also to receive counselling as directed by his probation officer.

“Clearly underlying in this file, there are significant mental health aspects,” Crown Prosecutor Adam Zelmer added.

McCoy remains in remand custody on additional charges, including attempted obstruction of a witness, threats to cause death or bodily harm, unlawful confinement, choking with intent, assault causing bodily harm, assault, obstructing a peace officer and mischief causing damage. He returns to court on those matters Tuesday when, his lawyer said, they may resolve some of the charges.

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