‘No Bail! Stay in jail!’ advocates rally as alleged animal abuser makes court appearance

Chants of “No bail! Stay in jail!” echoed through Winnipeg’s Downtown on Monday as animal advocates continued what they say are calls for justice as accused animal abuser Chad Kabecz appeared in court.

“Two per cent of animal abuse ends in jail. Two per cent. That needs to change,” said Kristy Zamonsky, one of the many people who gathered outside of the Manitoba Law Courts on York Avenue. 

“We need the public to know if you abuse an animal, it’s not just a slap on the wrist,” she said. “And unfortunately, with laws not changing since the 50’s, I keep stressing that that’s exactly what people think.”

Kabecz, who has been accused of filming the torture and murder of as many as 75 animals alongside co-defendant Irene Lima, was originally arrested on Oct. 9, 2024. As Kabecz appeared in court, those outside say calls for harsher penalties around animal abuse have only grown louder.

That’s as temperatures drop dangerously low, it’s going down to what feels like – 36 C with the wind chill tonight, and in light of yet another disturbing act of animal cruelty discovered last week after the bodies of six dead cats were found under a bridge on the outskirts of town.

READ MORE: Winnipeg police looking into several cat deaths

Police say at this time, it does not appear the recent animal deaths are connected to the others. 

After their arrest in October, police filed several other charges against the two concerning child abuse sexual imagery and further instances of animal abuse in November, with an analysis of their electronic devices showing they accessed images depicting child sexual abuse while also planning to torture and kill a child. 

Police also claim the two were responsible for an underground market where people traded in animal abuse imagery, with the two requiring members to submit a video of themselves killing an animal to gain entry, police say the two profited from the market. 

Zamonsky recalls how she was overcome with emotion after hearing details from Lima’s previous bail hearing on Dec. 20, 2024. She says while the ordeal has taken an emotional toll on all of the animal lovers present, they won’t quit until justice is served.

“It’s not easy, it’s hard on all of us. All of us dedicate our lives to animals and animal advocacy,” she said.  “So it’s things we don’t want to hear, but we also want to hear.” We want the public to hear.  We just want people to know how bad animal abuse is.”

Kabecz is scheduled to appear before court next on March 17 and the police investigation, now spanning the globe, is ongoing.