Alberta SPCA say charges are pending against a Westlock County animal owner after more than two-dozen horses in distress were seized in the Busby area on Jan. 15.
SPCA communications manger Roland Lines said 27 horses were found suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. One horse was required to be euthanized on-site, while the remaining animals were taken into protective custody.
At least one more horse was put down while in SPCA care.
Lines said officers are currently considering laying charges under the Animal Protection Act for causing an animal to be in distress.
“A determination has not yet been made about charges,” Lines said.
“Typically we would be waiting for analysis of the dead horses to determine cause of death. Once we determine cause of death, then we can make a determination of going forward with charges or not.”
He said it could take as long as two weeks before charges are laid.
“They’ll wait until they get the lab results back,” Lines said.
Acting on a complaint, SPCA officers attended a rural property northwest of Busby on Thursday, Jan. 14 and returned a day later with a search warrant and vets.
“The veterinarian determined that the horses were indeed in distress.”
No attempt has been made by the owner to reclaim the remaining animals.
“They have 10 days to reclaim them, if they meet the requirements for reclaiming. Once they’re healthy again, they’ll be re-homed, in some fashion.”
If charged, the owner, whose name has not been released, faces a maximum penalty of $20,000 as well as a ban on animal ownership.
