A couple from Winnipeg has admitted to numerous counts of animal cruelty after their arrest last year for producing and selling videos of animals being tortured and killed. The duo, Irene Lima, 56, and Chad Kabecz, 41, were apprehended in October 2024 following a tip to Manitoba’s provincial veterinarian about a Telegram group called Goddess May Barefoot Premium Crush. This group, with over 100 members, shared and sold videos of animals being crushed to death.
The Crown attorney, Boyd McGill, informed a Winnipeg court that the couple’s gruesome activities involved more than 90 animals, including kittens, birds, and an axolotl. The videos, often with a sexual element, showcased Lima crushing the animals with her bare feet while Kabecz filmed the acts. McGill emphasized the undeniable cruelty evident in the videos, showcasing the suffering and pain inflicted on the helpless animals.
Authorities discovered a substantial number of videos depicting the torture and killing of animals on electronic devices seized from the couple. The evidence revealed that over 97 animals, including cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters, goldfish, a frog, and an axolotl, were subjected to such cruelty by Lima and Kabecz.
Both perpetrators, currently in custody, pleaded guilty to six counts of animal cruelty each. The court proceedings detailed the couple’s extensive communication regarding the videos and plans to escalate their violent behavior. Additionally, entries in Lima’s diary expressed her delight in killing living things with her feet.
Financial records indicated that the videos generated profits of approximately $2,800 between May and October 2024. The sentencing for Lima and Kabecz is pending the completion of court-ordered pre-sentence reports. Although the prosecution plans to recommend a similar sentence for both offenders, the specific details of the punishment were not disclosed.
Despite public outrage and demands for severe punishment, the couple’s defense attorneys acknowledged the disturbing nature of the case. They emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding the crimes and urged for a compassionate perspective towards the defendants. Lima and Kabecz are set to receive their sentencing at a later date.