Charges pending | Twenty-five animals seized from farm near Wynyard
The Saskatchewan SPCA has found new homes for 25 neglected horses that were seized from a farm near Wynyard, Sask., in late March following an animal neglect investigation.
Kaley Pugh, manager of animal services with the SPCA, said all animals seized have now been placed in permanent homes in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Last week, the SPCA issued a call for help, seeking new homes for 21 of the horses and financial assistance to help offset the costs of feeding and caring for the animals.
Four of the 25 horses seized had already been placed with a caretaker.
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“It was really an amazing re-sponse,” said Pugh.
“Within a couple of days (of requesting help) we had all of the horses spoken for…. People really stepped up and helped us out.”
Pugh declined to share specific details of the case but she confirmed that charges will be laid.
The horses, as well as a number of other farm animals including cats, sheep and goats, were seized following a lengthy investigation.
The SPCA spent about $7,000 to take possession of the horses.
“There are still going to be charges laid in this particular circumstance so I can’t share too many details but it was a situation (that involved) lack of adequate care for an assortment of animals,” Pugh said.
The former owners of the animals were residing on the farm, she added. Absenteeism was not a factor.
The late March seizure is the latest in a rash of cases involving cattle and horses in Saskatchewan.
In late February, the SPCA reported that the number and severity of cases involving neglected cattle and horses was up sharply.
Over a three-month period beginning December 2012, the SPCA reported a 76 percent increase in cases involving cattle and an 89 percent increase in cases involving horses, relative to the same period a year earlier.
Severe cases were also more common, the SPCA said.
The winter of 2012-13 has been particularly challenging for farm animals, with many areas experiencing heavy snowfall and extended periods of extreme cold.
Currently high feed costs are also creating additional pressure for animal owners.
“The majority of Saskatchewan cattle producers and horse owners do a very good job caring for their animals. That’s why it’s particularly disturbing when we encounter situations where animals have suffered long-term neglect and are clearly in distress,” said Pugh.
Also last week, a Manitoba couple pleaded guilty to seven counts of animal abuse under the province’s Animal Care Act.
A variety of charges were laid against the couple after a 2010 investigation led to the seizure of 64 dogs that were wounded, ill, in need of medical attention and improperly confined.
Following the seizure, the dogs were taken to the Winnipeg Humane Society for assessment and medical care. Â
Thirty-four dogs were eventually euthanized because of significant physical injuries or behavioural impairment. Â
Judith and Peter Chernecki of Gull Lake, Man., are scheduled to appear in court for sentencing Sept. 17.
Gull Lake is located about 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.
