A livestock farm operator located north of Stoughton attracted the attention of the Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan (APSS).
After conducting an investigation on the reported case the APSS, with the assistance of the Fillmore RCMP, seized over 300 cows on Feb 13-14.
The animals, found on different properties, were describes as being in distress. The APSS executive director Don Ferguson explained what it means.
“Under the Animal Protection Act, an individual can not allow an animal to be in distress. And in the new Animal Protection Act from Sept. 2018 distress is defined, but is not limited to, being deprived of food or water in sufficient quantity to maintain an animal in good health, that they have reasonable protection from injuries, heat and cold; they also have access to shelter, veterinary care, and they are not kept in conditions that will significantly impair the animal’s health or well-being over time,” said Ferguson.
The investigation is ongoing and no charges were laid yet. The offenders could face charges under the Criminal Code of Canada pertaining to animals, specifically Section 446, 1b and Section 4 of the Animal Protection Act for allowing animals to be in distress.
No names were released at the time. Ferguson only mentioned that individuals involved with this farm operation were already known to the APSS.
We will have more on this story in Wednesday’s Estevan Mercury edition.
