Fifty-four fallow deer were removed from a game farm near Spiritwood, Sask., after an SPCA inspection found 116 others dead.
Frances Wach, executive director of the Saskatchewan SPCA, said two white-tailed deer from the 170-head herd were killed on the farm Aug. 14.
“They were in poor condition,” said Wach. The surviving animals are being cared for at another location.
Wach said the SPCA generally responds to complaints and bases its decision to remove animals on whether there is food, water, shelter and care.
The RCMP and SPCA are continuing to investigate, with no charges laid to date.
Robert Kerr, provincial veterinarian with Saskatchewan Agriculture, said penalties and fines are possible under the Animal Protection Act and operating licences for game farmers could be suspended.
Permits are required for producers to raise deer in Saskatchewan.
“An investigation of this nature has never gotten to a point where a licence was suspended,” Kerr said.
