'Sociopathic' animal killer to be released on probation

A 22-year-old B.C. woman who admitted to taking delight in killing animals and fantasizing about shooting homeless people is set to be released on probation with strict conditions.

One psychologist who spoke with Kayla Bourque ahead of her sentencing Wednesday in Vancouver Provincial Court testified she will likely require supervision for the rest of her life.

Other doctors described her as a sexual sadist and narcissist with anti-social personality disorder and sociopathic tendencies.

"It is clear that Ms. Bourque is a very unique and troubling case," said Judge Malcolm Maclean as he delivered what he described as "probably one of the most comprehensive probation orders I've ever done."

Bourque pleaded guilty in October to killing or injuring an animal, causing unnecessary suffering and pain to an animal and possessing a knife and was arrested earlier this year.

She has already been in custody for six months, but MacLean gave her an additional two months in custody, in part so probation officials can prepare for her highly supervised release.

The urge to "kill someone"

Adopted from a Romanian orphanage at the age of eight months, Bourque grew up in Prince George. While in high school, Maclean said she admitted to having the urge to "kill someone."

After graduation, she enrolled in criminology and psychology at Simon Fraser University.

While living in residence last March, she told another student she had disembowelled and dismembered cats in the Prince George area and that she fantasized about getting a gun and shooting a homeless person.

She also said she wanted to kill someone in residence and was taking forensic classes because she wanted to "get away" with something in the future.

MacLean said the classmate told campus security, who alerted police.

Bourque was initially arrested under the Mental Health Act and a search of her residence later turned up a blue nylon bag with a kitchen knife, a razor blade, three large garbage bags, a hypodermic needle and a mask.

Police also found video clips depicting her killing and hanging the family dog.

"She narrated part of the video as she eviscerated the dog," MacLean said.

Another video depicted Bourque torturing the family's cat.

"It is clear the animals would have suffered significantly prior to their deaths."

The Crown stayed separate charges of possession of child pornography. Several psychologists have interviewed Bourque, who shows no remorse or insight into her crimes and nature.

"While intelligent and articulate," MacLean said. "She had a preoccupation for causing pain."

3 years of probation

On Wednesday afternoon, Bourque sat quietly beside her lawyer as others discussed the stringent requirements needed to keep her from re-offending during a three-year probation period.

A slight figure with dark long hair styled into braids, she nodded as the judge spoke to her directly about the importance of complying with probation.

MacLean said Bourque's mother does not want her daughter living in the family home. Once released from jail, a Vancouver police high risk offender team will escort her to her new residence.

She's not allowed to have anyone in her home from 6 pm to 6 am and anyone who does visit must be made fully aware of the charges she pleaded guilty to and their circumstances.

She can't associate with anyone under the age of 18 or possess computer software to access the internet. MacLean also forbade her from accessing social networking sites or possessing duct tape, hypodermic needles or knives.

The probation order will be reviewed in three months after her release from custody. MacLean also banned Bourque from owning any animals for life.