Prince George, BC – With help from a team of specialists, the BC SPCA has seized a herd of cows from a property near Quesnel…

The SPCA's Manager of Cruelty Investigations, Shawn Eccles, says the 80 cows and 18 calves were removed on Monday with assistance from the BC Cattlemen's Association and a team that included a rep from the Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association, a branch inspector, a livestock veterinarian and RCMP Livestock Officer, Corporal Ralph Overby.

Eccles says the SPCA and Cattlemen's association had previously carried out several site visits to discuss welfare concerns for the cattle and had provided a course of remedial action for the producer to follow to relieve the animals' distress.  He says, unfortunately, the appropriate steps weren't taken, and the SPCA obtained a warrant to remove the animals on Monday after an assessment by the vet.

"This is a very uncommon occurrence in the cattle industry," says BC Cattlemen's Association General Manager, Kevin Boon.  "We appreciate (the) cooperation and assistance of the other agencies involved and their work with the producer to help resolve this situation."