"Willow" was found, emaciated and abandoned, in Maple Ridge in January, 2015 (Source: BC SPCA)
“Willow” was found, emaciated and abandoned, in Maple Ridge in January, 2015 (Source: BC SPCA)

(by News 1130 and The Canadian Press)  The BC SPCA says the owner of an emaciated young husky found abandoned in Maple Ridge in January, 2015 has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty.

Lorie Chortyk with the agency says “Willow” weighed 15kg when she was found — compared to a normal weight of about 24kg for a husky of her age. The dog was found wandering alone near 256th Street and 128th Avenue.

“She was so malnourished, she could barely walk. She was so weak. Her stomach was just filled with rocks and soil, which was causing her a lot of issues because we believe she was eating gravel in order to stay alive.”

Chortyk adds Willow had trouble walking because her muscles were so weak.

Willow has recovered and was adopted last March.

If convicted, Yu Lin, a university student in his 20s, faces up to two years in jail.