SPCA – Clearwater man who was convicted of animal cruelty sent to jail

Clearwater resident Kurtis Elliot has had his conditional sentence order terminated after failing to comply with the terms of his sentence, the BC SPCA said Monday (Feb. 10, 2026).  

Elliot was found guilty of animal cruelty in May 2025 after the BC SPCA removed 15 dogs and puppies from his property. The animals were discovered to be living in distress amongst built-up feces and suffering from frostbite due to being kept outdoors in subzero temperatures.

They were severely emaciated and without access to food or water, said the SPCA. In effort to ward off their hunger, the dogs and puppies were ingesting any items they could find, including plastic, bedding and plywood.

“Despite extensive veterinary efforts, three of the dogs were in such poor physical and psychological conditions that humane euthanasia was required to relieve their suffering.”  

On May 27, 2025, Elliot was given a one-year conditional sentence.  A conditional sentence is a form of custodial sentence in which the offender is permitted to serve it in the community, generally under strict terms of house arrest or curfew.  

The court also made an order prohibiting Elliot from owning, having the custody or control of, or residing in the same premises as an animal or bird for a period of ten years, with exceptions for the one adult cat and a number of goldfish already in his possession.   

In September 2025, Elliot breached his house arrest condition. On Dec. 15, 2025, the court reinstated his conditional sentence order. A week later, he breached his house arrest condition again.

On Jan. 27, 2026, the court terminated the conditional sentence order, which means Elliot will serve the remaining time in a traditional custodial facility.  It is anticipated he will remain in jail until early July 2026.