The following statement was issued today by Lloyd M. Strickland, Director of Public Prosecutions:

“The Crown will be appealing the recent decision that led to an acquittal for Robert Picco. Mr. Picco had been charged with four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and four counts of willful neglect of animals. All charges related to four beagles that had been in his care.

Experienced Crown Attorneys regularly review court rulings in consideration of potential appeals. In this case, Public Prosecutions has identified legal errors in the rulings that led to Mr. Picco’s acquittal. Accordingly, an appeal will be filed at the General Division of the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court.

As this matter will be before the court, there will be no further comment from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions at this time.”

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Media contact
Kim Cooper
Executive Assistant
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
709-729-2868
kimcooper@gov.nl.ca