This article originally appeared on Dr. Mahaney’s Pet-Lebrity News column on Pet360.com as Did Justin Bieber’s Dad Commit an Act of Animal Cruelty?
In my Pet-Lebrity News column, I strive to stay as positive as possible and also not get overly speculative about issues coming to the forefront in the media regarding pets and their owners who just happened to be celebrities. Yet, on this occasion I feel as though I need to make my readers aware of emerging reports involving a dog owned by Justin Bieber and his dad Jeremy Bieber.
Apparently, there’s some controversy brewing around the Bieber family’s dog Karma, an American Bulldog. Due to the speculative nature of the current issue, I am going to send you over to TMZ where the story broke. See Justin Bieber Dad Allegedly Hurled Dog Off 2nd Story Balcony.
Justin Bieber now faces another scandal involving a pet (see Justin Bieber’s Monkey Kept From Entering Germany). It is unfortunate to hear, as everything the high-profile entertainer does seems to be under heavy scrutiny in the media, but that really just goes with the turf of being a pop superstar. Yet, being responsible for the health, safety, and quality-of-life of our companions should be the top priority for all potential or current pet owners. If you are unable to care for your pets in the most responsible fashion possible, you should consider finding them more suitable homes.
Why Would A Pet Owner Throw a Dog Off a Second Story Balcony?
Throwing a dog off a second story balcony? Such sounds like a despicable thing to do for any person having taken on the role of pet owner. The report of this incident comes to TMZ from the Bieber’s dog trainer, Trevor Dvernichuk, who indicated that Justin’s father Jeremy threw Karma from the second story balcony into a snowbank after Karma bit Jeremy’s son (Justin’s younger brother) Jaxon.
Although it’s not completely clear, this incident could have occurred up to twelve months ago. In late December 2013, Karma was purchased at seven weeks of age from a pet store in Stratford, Canada for $600. Dvernichuk reportedly was instructed by Jeremy to take the dog under his observation and provide training sufficient to properly socialize the dog. If dog aged seven weeks, or even if the dog had aged to around 16 weeks (four months), the permanent teeth would not yet have erupted (as starts to happen around 16 weeks). Therefore, the ability for Karma to cause serious injury from a bite would be less likely than an adult dog having permanent teeth.
As of early December 2014, Jeremy wants the dog back and is going to the police with claims that Dvernichuk stole the dog after learning of Dvernichuk telling others that Karma had been abandoned.
Dvernichuk voiced his concerns about Karma’s safety in the Bieber home considering what was reportedly witnessed at the hands of Jeremy Bieber. If Dvernichuk’s claims are valid, then Jeremy Bieber’s actions may be considered a punishable offense.
Is Throwing a Dog Off a Second Story Balcony A Punishable Offense?
According to the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Jeremy’s actions don’t sound aligned with a caring pet owner. In fact, they could even be considered Animal Cruelty according to the Criminal Code of Canada, which states:
Causing unnecessary suffering
445.1 (1) Every one commits an offence who:
(a) willfully causes or, being the owner, willfully permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird;
Those determined to at fault for of “causing unnecessary suffering” are guilty of:
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term of not more than eighteen months or to both.
Causing damage or injury
446. (1) Every one commits an offence who:
(b) being the owner or the person having the custody or control of a domestic animal or a bird or an animal or a bird wild by nature that is in captivity, abandons it in distress or willfully neglects or fails to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care for it.
People established to be to blame for “causing damage or injury” are guilty of:
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months or to both.
What isn’t clear is if Karma endured any injuries as a result of being thrown from the second story balcony into the snow. Additionally, is there any proof of Jeremy exhibiting potentially-injurious or neglectful actions toward Karma? If such factors aren’t the case, then proving Jeremy causes unnecessary suffering or damage or injury may not be a realistic route to benefit Karma.
What’s Next For Karma, the Biebers, and the Dog Trainer?
TMZ reports that Dvernichuk doesn’t want to get involved with a lawsuit and is willing to return Karma to the Bieber family despite his concern for Karma’s safety. Additionally, having providing care and training for Karma, he wants to be appropriate compensated for his services.
As the entire incident is heresy at this point, it’s hard to say what is the most appropriate course of action. There’s always the chance that Dvernichuk may be trying to extort money from the Bieber family and the claims that Karma were thrown from a second-story balcony were fabricated or exaggerated.
If Dvernichuk’s observations are true and Jeremy Bieber did endanger Karma by throwing him over the railing, then it’s time that Karma gets placed in a more appropriate home with owners that wouldn’t endanger a canine companion for which they are responsible for caring. Additionally, if Karma attempted to bite or bit Jaxon, then he could do so to other children (or pets) and should be placed in a home lacking a child, senior citizen, or other compromised individual who could potentially be seriously injured or killed from a dog attack.
Copyright of this article (2014) is owned by Dr Patrick Mahaney, Veterinarian and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Republishing any portion of this article must first be authorized by Dr Patrick Mahaney. Requests for republishing must be approved by Dr Patrick Mahaney and received in written format.
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