Alberta SPCA Peace Officers have been involved in a number of large seizures over the past 20 years, most of which have involved livestock. These cases carry an emotional toll on the entire community, and we know that alleviating distress not only provides immediate relief for the animals but also for the neighbours who live nearby. Here are a few cases our Peace Officers have managed over the past two decades.
Rescue 100 Horses - 2008
In February of 2008, 100 horses were removed from a property east of Edmonton. When Alberta SPCA Peace Officers arrived, they found the animals to be severely emaciated, while another 27 horses had already perished. Further to that, an additional 65 animals — rabbits, chickens, sheep and goats — were seized.
The horses were eventually moved to an organization called the Rescue 100 Foundation which accepted the task of rehabilitating and rehoming the surviving horses.
Two animal owners pleaded guilty in the case to charges under the Animal Protection Act of permitting animals to be in distress. Axel Hinz-Schleuter was fined $12,000 and handed a life-time prohibition from owning horses. Dale Huber was fined $6,000 and was given a 10-year prohibition from owning horses.
Tofield Minis - 2019
In December 2018 the Alberta SPCA received a public complaint of horses in distress on a property in the Tofield region. Peace Officers attended the property and over the course of two months seized approximately 80 horses due to distress and a lack of feed. The horses were of miniature and full- sized breeds.
Peter and Linda Spahr pleaded guilty to two counts each under the Animal Protection Act of permitting animals to be in distress. Both owners received prohibition orders that they may not own or have joint care or custody of more than 14 horses for a period of 15 years. The Court ordered Peter Spahr to pay a fine of $5,000 and Linda Spahr to pay a fine of $2,000 as part of the sentences.
In the aftermath of this case, the Alberta SPCA hosted its first ever rehoming sale, allowing the horses to be connected with families who relished the opportunity to care for and rehabilitate these animals.
Cattle Crisis - 2021
In December 2021, Alberta SPCA Peace Officers obtained a warrant to inspect animals on a property in Strathcona County. Once there, Peace Officers observed numerous emaciated cattle, as well as many animals that had died.
187 cattle were removed from the property and immediately placed under the care of a veterinarian. Unfortunately, a subsequent cold snap resulted in many more animals dying before they could add enough weight to withstand the bitter weather.
The surviving cattle were eventually sold at auction. The animal owner, Jim Jenkins, was convicted under Animal Protection Act of permitting animals to be in distress. He was given a prohibition against owning more than 20 head of bovine for a period of three years.