SPCA Wants Charges in Renshaw Horses Case

Monday, January 26, 2009 03:00 PM

Prince George, B.C. - The BC SPCA wants charges laid against the owner of two horses rescued near McBride last month.

The dramatic December 23rd rescue of the three-year-old mare named Belle and the 14-year-old gelding named Sundance captured national attention after volunteers spent a week shoveling a one-kilometre trench through the snow to save the abandoned animals.

The BC SPCA's Chief Animal Protection Officer Shawn Eccles says the society has submitted a report to Crown in Prince George recommending charges of animal cruelty in the case.

"We are recommending charges of animal cruelty against the owner of the horses under both the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act and the Criminal Code of Canada."

The PCA Act, which applies only in BC, and the Criminal Code both carry a maximum fine of $5,000, up to six months in jail and a possible prohibition on owning animals. The decision on whether or not to proceed with charges now rests with Crown counsel.

Eccles says the SPCA has determined that horses will not be returned to the owner in Edmonton.

"The animals are receiving excellent on-going care in their foster homes and a number of people have offered to provide a permanent home for them."

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Posted on Monday, January 26, 2009 03:00 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: lifesucks on January 26 2009 3:37 PM

I hope the Crown Council of Prince George does go ahead and press all the charges they can on this lawyer. He is not deserving to get the horses back or should he be ban from having any other animals. This is a sure case of cruelty to animals and should pay the price. Everyone who is cruel to any animals in any shape or form should be punished.

Posted by: Big-Wayne on January 26 2009 4:21 PM

First let me say that I DO NOT agree with the practice of turning stock, in this case horses, loose for the winter and seeing how many survive. I believe it is an inhumane way to treat animals.

This practice has happened for years and continues to happen not only in the central Interior region of this province it also still happens in the Caribou, Kootneys and the Okanagan as well as in southern Alberta. I know that it happens in these areas as I have lived there over the years and witnessed it. In other words it happens where ever there is open crown range. It happens less often now as the cost involved when loosing the stock is very high but it does still happen.

If the crown does proceed I hope they do so because they believe it is a criminal offence and is inhumane as per the laws of the land and are not being pressured into proceeding with a losing case and the waste of time and money on this one case because of the publicity involved. I would hope that if the crown has found some way of finally finding this practice criminal as per the laws that they enforce it on all

Posted by: Honestjoe on January 26 2009 4:53 PM

I hope this lawyer is charged for his treatment of these horses and is convicted and given the maximum penalty. He is a disgrace to the human race.
Good to know that the horses are going to be well cared for. Thanks to those who effected the horses' rescue.

Posted by: midnight on January 26 2009 6:27 PM

Hopefully the crown will proceed with the charges,and hopefully the maximum penalty will be given.
That includes a ban on owning any animals or livestock !

Posted by: downnotout on January 26 2009 10:08 PM

slap him on the hands but lets not get to carried away. This fellow is a lawyer and can have this case drag on into the next decade so let the courts get on with dealing with crime involving murder drugs ect.

Posted by: He speaks on January 26 2009 10:44 PM

take his horse, take his right to own horses or use animals.

Posted by: Eagleone on January 27 2009 7:19 AM

As a lawyer making the offense, and using his position to try and strong arm... I think the Crown needs to make a serious example of this guy.