Man who beat dog loses appeal in Regina animal cruelty case

REGINA – A 23-year-old Regina man convicted of animal cruelty has lost the appeal of his sentence, which he said was excessive given his age and lack of criminal record.

Harsharan Singh Josan had appealed after he was convicted of wilfully causing unnecessary pain to his dog by repeatedly striking the animal. Disturbing video evidence presented in court showed Josan hitting the dog, which yelped in distress, before turning to the camera and making threatening statements to the person making the video, saying that his beating of the dog showed what he is capable of doing. 

“Animal cruelty offences are crimes of violence,” said Regina Court of King’s Bench Justice D. N. Robertson in his July 23 written decision. “They are serious offences.”

Justice Robertson said the community’s concern with the treatment of animals, especially domestic animals, isn’t new as generations of children and adults have read Black Beauty and Beautiful Joe: The Autobiography of a Dog.

“These classics of literature raised public consciousness of the suffering of domestic animals from cruel and callous treatment by humans. The Plague Dogs is a more modern example, equally worthy. These memorable stories, written from the view of the animal, are both heartbreaking and heartwarming.”

After multiple adjournments, Josan had pleaded guilty in Regina Provincial Court in November 2024. His lawyer had asked the court for a conditional discharge. A month later, Josan filed an appeal to the Court of King’s Bench.

Josan’s appeal was based on several grounds, all of which were dismissed.

“I agree with the sentencing judge’s analysis and conclusion,” said Justice Robertson.

The sentencing judge had said a discharge wasn’t in the public interest saying, “While it would be in your best interests I am not persuaded, in this case, it is in the best interests of society.”

Justice Robertson upheld the sentencing judge's decision, who had given Josan a 12-month suspended sentence, 30 hours of community service, ordered to pay restitution of $1,994 to the Regina Humane Society, a victim fine surcharge of $100, and a two-year ban owning animals.

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