The Saskatchewan SPCA last week removed 14 animals from a farm near Findlater, about 80 kilometres northwest of Regina.
The animals, 13 horses and one pig, were taken to the Johnstone Auction Mart near Moose Jaw.
Frances Wach, executive director of the SSPCA, said the organization acted Oct. 7 after receiving a complaint that the animals were neglected. None had to be euthanized.
“They weren’t being provided with adequate care,” she said.
That could mean inadequate food, water or shelter, or that sick and injured animals weren’t being treated.
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Details about the exact circumstances and who complained will not be released because of the ongoing investigation.
But Wach said any time people see an animal that is being improperly cared for, they can call the SPCA to investigate. Charges can be laid against animal owners under the Animal Protection Act, the Criminal Code or both.
Owners do have the opportunity to get their animals back.
“When we seize animals the owner has three business days or 72 hours to contact the society and say they’d like their animals back and pay the expenses incurred in regards to the animals,” Wach said.
“If arrangements haven’t been made, we will sell them.”
The SSPCA also continues to investigate the deaths of about 40 cattle this summer in a pasture near Claydon owned by Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
The cattle belonged to local ranchers. The NCC said lightning killed the cattle, but some of the ranchers and at least one veterinarian believe they died from dehydration.
