Man fined $800 for abandoning horses

EDMONTON – A 75-year-old man who left seven horses standing in a urine-soaked trailer on the Yellowhead Trail for several days last fall is an experienced animal keeper, provincial Court heard Tuesday.

But Abe Phillips admitted he was wrong to leave the animals uncared for and pleaded guilty to one charge under the Animal Protection Act of causing an animal to be in distress. He was fined $800.

His daughter appeared on his behalf.

In addition, he was ordered to allow animal protection officers onto his property to check on any animals in his care for the next 10 years.

"It’s clear he is knowledgeable about horses and loves horses, but he made an error in judgment," Crown prosecutor Christian Lim told court.

Phillips was transporting the horses from McBride, B.C. to Manitoba when his horse trailer broke down on the Yellowhead Trail near 124th Street on Nov. 8, 2009. Phillips is a resident of British Columbia.

Phillips tried to leave some food and water for the horses, which were to be sold to a breeder in Manitoba.

He eventually checked into a hotel because of the cold November weather. He did not call police, animal protection officers or bylaw officers, court heard.

Police officers and passersby soon noticed the horse trailer parked on the side of the road and heard the horses stamping and making noises, indicating they were in distress.

When police officers arrived Nov. 11, the horses were hungry, agitated, and standing in several centimetres of urine. Urine and feces poured out of the trailer when the door was opened.

The horses were taken to Northlands and treated. They recovered.

Lim told court Phillips is "very experienced" in horses, and thought they would be fine. "But he now realizes he should have contacted police for assistance," Lim said.

Outside court, Lim said many cases involving the Animal Protection Act arise when owners think they know everything about their animals, but don’t have the skills to care for them.

Fines are one way of deterring such behaviour, he said. "We’re saying you can’t turn a blind eye to the proper care of animals just because you love them and think you know how to take care of them yourself."

azabjek@thejournal.canwest.com