ARDROSSAN, Alta. – Susan Fyfe gets angry each time she walks through the herd of horses seized from a northern Alberta farm.
What should be a herd of healthy Arabian horses kicking up their heels in the warm March sun is instead a group of lethargic animals not even interested in eating the fresh hay at their feet.
“They have no appetite,” said Fyfe.
Fyfe has taken in the horses seized by the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals from an Andrew farm Feb. 26. She has them on pasture at her Keno Hills Stable. Officers seized 100 horses, 40 rabbits, 13 chickens, seven sheep and five goats. SPCA officials found the carcasses of 27 dead horses and numerous rabbits, chickens and ducks at the farm. Two horses later died and a third had to be euthanized.
Read Also
Trade war may create Canadian economic opportunities
Canada’s current tariff woes could open chances for long-term economic growth and a stronger Canadian economy, consultant says — It’s happened before.
Axel Hinz-Schleuter, 45, and Dale Huber, 55, were both charged with 12 counts of allowing animals to be in distress and failing to provide duty of care for the animals. They are scheduled to appear in provincial court in Vegreville, Alta., on April 21.
Fyfe fumes as she walks through the herd, explaining how the former owners may get their animals back through a court injunction.
“It’s pretty pathetic. It’s disgusting.”
Morris Airey, director of Animal Protection Services with the SPCA said he can’t address the issue of the possible court injunction.
However, he said he’s grateful for the group of horse people, headed by Fyfe, who saved the horses from being sold through the auction market and a questionable future.
“All along we didn’t feel real good about putting them through the auction mart, but didn’t really see any other alternative at that point because of the number of animals involved. We just don’t have the resources to check out and ensure the adequacy of the individuals who would come forward and adopt them.
“We were more than grateful for the assistance of the group of people that came forward,” said Airey.
Fyfe couldn’t sleep the night she heard about the horse seizure. By morning she’d made the decision to ask the SPCA if she could keep the group of horses until their health improved. Within hours a team of more than 75 volunteers had come together and the Rescue100 foundation had been formed to raise funds to offset the cost of caring for the animals.
Already the herd has been divided in two. The stronger, older horses have been separated from the younger, weaker ones.
“All the young stock is very weak. About 98 percent of them are lousy. They have no tail hair, they’ve rubbed it all off. Their feet are curled up and they can barely walk,” said Fyfe, who has enlisted the help of a veterinarian, farrier and other experienced horse people to help plan the rehabilitation.
Airey said he’s confident the group will give the animals the best care.
“We can continue to monitor them and they will be under constant vet surveillance.”
Airey said the SPCA was reluctant to adopt the animals out to individual homes.
“As soon as you devalue an animal, there’s more likelihood of welfare concerns with animals without value compared to animals people have paid money to obtain.”
For more information, go to www.rescue100.com or Rescue100 on Face Book. Donations can be made to Rescue100 at any Alberta Treasury Branch location. The group needs volunteers, money, hay, bedding and shelter.
