Winnipeg couple sentenced to 12 years in prison for torturing, killing animals online
Posted February 11, 2026 12:58 pm.
Last Updated February 11, 2026 1:19 pm.
The Winnipeg couple that pleaded guilty to several animal-cruelty charges last year was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Irene Lima and Chad Kabecz, who admitted to six counts of animal cruelty in a Manitoba courtroom in November 2025, also received a lifetime ban on owning, possessing or being near animals.
The Winnipeg Police Service investigation uncovered hundreds of videos and photos showing animals being harmed, along with tens of thousands of encrypted messages tied to the operation.
Kabecz was accused of establishing an exclusive black-market network where prospective members submitted videos of themselves killing an animal to gain entry to the group, Winnipeg police said at the time of the couple’s arrest in October 2024.
Police said 75 animals — mostly cats — were filmed or photographed being tortured and killed between May 20 and Oct. 7. In some instances, police alleged there was a sexual component to the offence.
Authorities said at the time the couple “not only facilitated the creation and distribution of its content, but also profited financially from it.”
