Winnipeg couple pleads guilty to multiple animal-cruelty charges
Posted November 14, 2025 5:16 pm.
A Winnipeg couple has pleaded guilty to several animal-cruelty charges following a police investigation that began last year. Irene Lima and Chad Kabecz admitted to six counts of animal cruelty in a Manitoba courtroom Friday, while eight other charges were stayed as part of a plea deal.
“The case was incredibly disturbing, and we are heartbroken at all the animals that died making these crush videos for sexual gratification and profit,” said Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice.
The case began with a months-long investigation that uncovered hundreds of videos and photos showing animals being harmed, along with tens of thousands of encrypted messages tied to the operation. Lima and Kabecz were arrested in October 2024 after officers searched their Lord Roberts home, seizing several electronic devices police believe were linked to an underground network on the dark web, where more than 75 animals — mostly cats — were filmed or photographed.
“I expect the courts will take this case very seriously. They haven’t been sentenced yet, but what I can say is each count attracts two years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine,” Labchuk said.
Animal Justice says cases like this, known as crush-video operations, happen more often than people realize because they are difficult to detect online.
“There were a number of notorious cases in the United States and efforts there to restrict laws protecting against crush videos, but sadly these cases come up in Canada as well,” Labchuk said.
She also said preventing similar abuse goes beyond sentencing, pointing to how easily the couple was able to buy dozens of animals online.
“If there are surviving animals from the offence, ensuring the convicted person pays for reparations and future care is essential — and most importantly, imposing probation orders to make sure people like this can’t go out and get animals in the future,” Labchuk said.
The couple remains in custody. Sentencing is expected at a later date.
