Photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – At least two dozen protesters have gathered off the old Caribou Highway, across from the Prince George Airport, to rally against what they allege is the mistreatment of approximately 70 horses in a nearby field today.

“We’re tired, everybody’s been watching these horses get sicker and sicker for quite a while,” said Nicola Redpath.

“It’s been over a year that they’ve been on this property and nothing’s been done. Just the other day we found that one had died out in the field there and that’s kind of sparked everybody into saying enough is enough.”

The Protesters said they have expressed their concerns to the SPCA but in the meantime, allege the health of the horses continues to get worse.

“The horses are in pretty rough shape. They’re young horses and they don’t have much food. There’s none out there. The stubble is only about an inch-high left for them,” said another protester.

“The biggest concern is are these horses being treated or cared for properly?  You can see the backbone on some of them hanging out.”

Those on scene say the owner was invited to participate in today’s protest to answer questions but he didn’t respond.

Earlier this week the SPCA confirmed to 250News it became aware of the situation on Monday (see previous story here).

“We are working with the owner, he is cooperative,” said the BCSPCA’s special provincial constable and senior animal protection officer for the northern region Debbie Goodine. “Unfortunately, we cannot go into specifics about what is going on out there, because of privacy concerns, but at this point we are not looking at removing any animals.”

She also told 250News that privacy concerns prevent her from outlining the steps the owner has agreed to take in this case, but added that “typically, in a file similar to this, if we have a group of animals that aren’t receiving adequate food, water or shelter, that’s going to be our goal with the animal owner, just to ensure that those things are provided and to relieve any of the stress.”

*As this matter is under investigation by the BC SPCA, comments are closed.*