More than 300 cattle that authorities say appeared to be in distress have been seized from a livestock producer in southeastern Saskatchewan.
Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan says the cattle were taken Feb. 13 and 14 near Stoughton, about 145 kilometres southeast of Regina.
Agency executive director Don Ferguson says multiple properties were involved and that environmental conditions on a number of them were factors in the seizure.
Ferguson won’t comment on the condition of the animals because of an ongoing investigation by the agency and the possibility of charges being laid against the producer under the Criminal Code or the Animal Protection Act.
The agency is required to hold the cattle for five business days, at which point the owner has the option to pay the costs associated with the seizure.
Ferguson says in this case, the owner has not covered the costs and the cattle will be sold at auction.
“It was actually a call for a number of animals that didn’t appear to have adequate food and water and appeared in thin body condition at the time,” he said of the seizure.
Ferguson noted that in recent weeks there has been a 20 per cent increase in calls from people around the province who are concerned about the condition of livestock during the cold weather. He said agency officers are responding to them as fast as possible.
“If people would be patient that would be wonderful. We’re getting to them as quickly as we can.”
Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan is a registered non-profit organization based in Saskatoon that investigates animal abuse and neglect complaints.
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