A couple from Winnipeg has admitted to committing numerous acts of animal cruelty. Irene Lima, 56, and Chad Kabecz, 41, were apprehended in October 2024 for producing and distributing videos depicting the torture and killing of animals, which they sold through a messaging app. The illicit operation involved over 90 animals, including kittens, birds, and an axolotl.
The arrests came after an anonymous tip-off to Manitoba’s provincial veterinarian regarding a Telegram group named Goddess May Barefoot Premium Crush, which had more than 100 members and shared videos of animals being crushed to death. The Crown attorney, Boyd McGill, revealed these details in a Winnipeg court session.
McGill disclosed that the Telegram group had a price list for various animals’ killings, with costs ranging from $5 for a baby mouse to $180 for a three-kitten family. Lima was responsible for crushing the animals with her bare feet while Kabecz filmed the videos, which, McGill noted, often contained a sexual element.
Evidence presented in court indicated that more than 97 animals were tortured and killed by the couple, including over 60 cats and kittens, seven birds, and several other animals such as rabbits, hamsters, goldfish, a frog, and an axolotl. Both Lima and Kabecz pleaded guilty to six counts of animal cruelty and are currently in custody.
Following the seizure of electronic devices from the couple, McGill mentioned that a significant number of videos showing animal killings were discovered, along with communications between Lima and Kabecz discussing these acts and planning to escalate their behavior. Entries in Lima’s diary, which was also confiscated, described her enjoyment in killing things with her feet and the satisfaction it brought her.
Financial records revealed that the pair made approximately $2,800 in profit from selling these videos between May and October 2024. The sentencing for Lima and Kabecz is pending, with pre-sentence reports to be completed before the final judgment. Prosecutors intend to recommend a similar sentence for both individuals.
Before entering their guilty pleas, a group of protesters gathered outside the courthouse, demanding severe punishment for the couple. Lawyers for Lima and Kabecz acknowledged the disturbing nature of the case, with Lima’s lawyer emphasizing the extensive evidence involved. Kabecz’s lawyer expressed understanding of the public outrage but highlighted the complexities of defense work in such cases.
The legal representatives expect more clarity to emerge during the sentencing phase, aiming to provide a better understanding of the couple’s motivations. The defense lawyers stressed the need for compassion and a deeper examination of the circumstances. Lima and Kabecz await their sentencing as the court proceedings continue.