AR-News: 400 head seized in cattle crisis ( Calgary Herald)

[Barry Kent MacKay]

Gina Teel 


Calgary Herald 


      Friday, April 30, 2004
      In one of the largest seizures in recent years, nearly 450 head of
neglected cattle have been removed from a northern Alberta farm by animal
welfare officials, as fallout from the mad cow crisis continues.

      The malnourished cattle were seized after repeated interventions by
the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a
provincial livestock welfare organization failed to persuade the owner to
take better care of his herd, Const. Morris Airey, the society's director of
enforcement, said Thursday.

      Twenty-seven cows and calves were found dead. Five had to be
euthanized.

      "The drought of the last two years and the market conditions as a
result of BSE have put pressure on all of the industry," Airey said. "The
lower-end operations are showing the signs of that pressure."

      The 448 surviving cattle were taken from the Lac La Biche ranch in
seven cattle liners and are in the custody of a caretaker.

      Lorne Andrichuk has been charged under the Animal Protection Act with
causing or permitting an animal to be in distress.

      Andrichuk is scheduled to appear in Lac La Biche provincial court May
31.

      Susan Church, manager of Alberta Farm Animal Care -- the provincial
agency involved in the failed intervention -- said she pulled out all the
stops for Andrichuk, but he didn't respond.

      The agency, its veterinarian and its emergency intervention ALERT team
were all involved, she said.

      "Some people, I think, maybe lose the will. I don't know," said
Church.

      "It's discouraging, but at least we were there and the industry was
responding."

      The seizure is the latest to come to light in Alberta as the financial
fallout of the BSE crisis continues to hammer producers.

      Canada has lost an estimated $2.6 billion in cattle and beef exports
since a single case of BSE was found in Alberta last May.

      In January, 65 malnourished cows were seized from a farm near Consort.
Three animals were found dead on the property and two more died after the
seizure. No charges were laid at the time.

      In February, the Alberta SPCA charged longtime New Dayton ranchers Ken
and Deborah Wright under the Animal Protection Act after more than 100 dead
cattle were found on their property.

      Another 100 head -- the surviving half of the herd -- were seized.

      Twelve animals had to be euthanized.

      The Wrights are charged with one count each of causing or permitting
an animal to be in distress.

      The charges carry a maximum penalty of $20,000 and a possible
prohibition from owning animals.

      They are scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on May 13.

      The Alberta SPCA is now monitoring the welfare of about eight herds,
ranging in size from 30 to 250 head, Airey said.

      He's hopeful the situation will improve now that winter is nearly
over.

      Alberta's largest seizure occurred in 1993, when more than 1,500 head
were confiscated.

      gteel at theherald.canwest.com

      C The Calgary Herald 2004
     


   
     
     
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____________________

Barry Kent MacKay
Canadian Representative
ANIMAL PROTECTION INSTITUTE 
www.api4animals.org