The following article appeared yesterday saying that the horses rescued from the situation near Drumheller, AB may be “SENT TO MARKET”. Are they not to be given the chance to be adopted rather than being put into auctions?
Animal neglect charges likely: police
Postmedia News
April 24, 2011
Police said Saturday that charges are pending against a rancher after hundreds of cattle and horses were seized Thursday from a ranch near Drumheller, Alta.
Police and the Alberta SPCA said many of the 140 horses and 200 cattle were malnourished, aggressive and seriously ill.
Cpl. David Heaslip, an RCMP livestock investigator, said police are still investigating.
Charges will likely be laid against ranch owner John Barry Graham, he added.
At least six horses had to be abandoned by the Alberta SPCA as they were just too feral to corral.
In the meantime, the captured animals are receiving veterinary treatment close to the ranch, said Terra Johnston, executive director of the Alberta SPCA.
Graham has a week left to claim ownership of the seized animals before they’re sent to market. If he comes forward, he’ll have to pay all veterinary costs.
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
Fellow horse advocates, please consider contacting the SPCA on behalf of the horses and ask them this “You’re ready to rescue them, only to send them to market. What kind of rescue is that?”
Here’s contact info for the Alberta SPCA:
The Alberta SPCA
10806 124 Street
Edmonton AB T5M OH3 Canada
Phone: 780-447-3600
Fax: 780-447-4748
That is just sad. Rescue them, then send them to market – which means of course, slaughter. No one is going to buy a thin, wild horse. It’s sad, and wrong.
Unfortunately, it’s a good example of how having some training on a horse just might save its life. What the hell was the rancher doing with 140 horses anyway??? I guess he just thought it wouldn’t be a big deal to throw a stallion out with those mares. Idiot. I wonder how many stallions were there…
This is simply UNEXCEPTABLE!! These horse did nothing wrong! They (Horses)should be given an honest and sincere effort to meet all their needs, Mr. John Barry Graham needs to step up to the plate and pay the bill, for the responsibility he took on of owning 140 horse! Same for the Cattle! He claims to own and over see his property. his Bill! Even if it means losing his ranch to someone who would turn this travesty into a wonderful gift for the animals!
Yet another breeding operation out of control. Every mass neglect case I’ve seen this year has been a breeder, and countless mares at auction are pregnant! We are advocating legislation in the US to curb abusive puppy mills by putting a limit of 50 intact dogs in a dog breeding facility, and yet we allow these foal mills to breed indiscriminately – and this is what happens. We need to get serious about curbing the overbreeding in the U.S. and Canada!!
DON,T they start telling me, these animals, will be sent to slaughter or auction, cause its just a horrible decision! These horses, cattle have already been through HELL,,and now they are going to be put through more HELL!! Well….I,M Pissed-off! What a stupid, selfish, cruel owner! How could he/she,, let this come to this point? ASS!……
I have been to the auctions and have seen the horses brought in by the SPCA. The worst was a skinny Arab mare and her few month old colt, both were sold for meat. But hey, at least they were “rescued” by the SPCA, they did their job right? Pft.