Two people are facing fraud charges after allegedly selling horses without the owner’s permission.
Peterborough County OPP launched an investigation in late February after a horse owner reported two horses she was leasing to a farm in Douro-Dummer Township, just east of Peterborough, had been sold.
The owners of the farm allegedly sold the horses without permission, according to police.
On Thursday, OPP said they have arrested and charged two individuals.
Janice Hollett, 25, of Douro-Dummer Township and Brenden Taylor, 26, of Wasaga Beach, are both charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000, two counts of theft under $5,000 and two counts of cause death or injury to an animal or bird by failing to provide suitable/adequate food, water, care and shelter.
The accused are scheduled to appear in court in Peterborough on Aug. 15
On Thursday morning, Global News Peterborough reached out to Rachael Bakker, of Collingwood, Ont., who confirmed she is the owner of the horses.
Bakker claims she leased two of her horses — Action, a 13-year-old thoroughbred gelding, and Olivia, a 19-year-old thoroughbred Trakehner mare.
Bakker declined an interview but told Global News Peterborough that Olivia is still missing. However, Bakker says, she bought back Action in May.
In April, she created a public Facebook page called Missing Horses in Ontario to assist in the search of the horses and to help other owners report lost or stolen horses.
Anyone with information on Olivia’s whereabouts is asked to contact Peterborough County OPP.
WATCH: Peterborough Humane Society talks changes to animal cruelty laws
Comments