SASKATOON – Animal cruelty is unfortunately an ongoing problem in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has seen livestock cruelty cases, double.
Manager of Animal Protective Services Kaley Pugh had 74 cases between January and March, compared to 39 during the same period last year.
“Not every complaint that we get results in a seizure of animals. Not every complaint that we get is a really serious situation. Sometimes there’s no problems, a lot of the times we can resolve the situations by working with the owners but it is certainly a concern when we have twice as many horse complaints and cattle complaints this year as compared to last,” said Pugh.
Usually three per cent of cases result in a seizure but this year has been exceptionally higher.
There are only 2 horse rescue organizations in the province. Paradise Stable Horse Rescue near Saskatoon is currently at capacity with 26 animals being housed.
“I think that there is a lot of neglect and I think that we can all justify anything we want but at the end of the day, irregardless of what your weather conditions are, you have to get out and you have to look after those animals,” said Bunnie Harasym, Paradise Stable Horse Rescue.
The SPCA seized 25 neglected horses near Wynyard in March. Similar complaints were received last week about a heard near Scott, Saskatchewan.
“We’re not exceptionally alarmed about that case at this point. We are working with the owners and it is an ongoing investigation,” said Pugh.
Depending on the case, it can take time and a certain number of strikes against the owner before the SPCA is forced to take action.
Pugh says seizing animals is a last resort because it’s costly, time-consuming and causes stress on the animals.
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