Page 5 - March 2005 The Game

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, March 2005 5
Ongoing Investigation into Starving Horses
Photo by Chris Lomon
According to Doug Rombaugh, Livestock Inspector with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA), the investigation into last month’s discovery of 35 starving horses at a farm in Caledon is still ongoing and no charges have been laid as yet.
Doug is in charge of the case and says that he expects charges to be laid shortly explaining that there are a number of other livestock cases that are currently being investigated.
The person of interest in the case will likely be charged under rule 446 of the Criminal Code of Canada, namely subsections A and C.
Subsection A states that an offense is committed for unnecessary pain and suffering of an animal while Subsection C states that an offense is committed for failure to provide adequate food, shelter, water and care.
Doug says he is looking at charges under both subsections, however subsection A is harder to prove because ‘pain’ is subjective. He explained that offenses under subsection C were very apparent especially when you have all of the animals showing lack of food as opposed to just one or two animals.
Under the current criminal code for the cruelty to animals, when charged, the accused is subject to a maximum fine of $2000 per count and is limited to owning animals for a period of up to two years. With 35 horses under scrutiny in this case, it could lead to a hefty fine however the way the current laws are written, the accused could effectively own horses again in two years.
This is an area that the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) and many animals lovers would like to see changed.
“We are currently trying to get revisions to the criminal code when it comes to cruelty to animals.” said Doug who explained that the revisions would see tougher punishments for killing or harming an animal, or for failing to provide adequate care.
Bill C-22, as the amendment is called, will see stiffer fines and will have offenders
banned from owning animals for longer periods including up to a lifetime ban.
The Cruelty to Animals section of the Criminal Code of Canada was first enacted in 1892.
Bill C-22 is the first major amendment put forth to the Government and according to the CFHS website, the bill was passed unanimous- ly and repeatedly in the House of Commons over the past year but has been repeatedly held up by the Senate. The bill died for the fourth time in May 2004 when Parliament prorogued.
For more information on bill C-22 and how you can help encourage parliament to implement the changes visit www.cfhs.ca.
The Game will provide updates on the Caledon investigation and the proposed Bill C-22 in future issues.
Young Sarah Lomon gets up close with Appealing Sara, one of the horses rescued from the farm in Caledon. Appealing Sara is a 20 year-old Valid Appeal mare who was bred by Harry Mangurian in Florida. She had a race record of 5 wins,1 second, 2 thirds and earned $101,788 in 22 starts. She has produced 8 foals, 4 of which are winners and her 1995 weanling by A.P. Indy sold at Keeneland Nov. sale for $100,000 (sadly died as a weanling)
Sara was last sold at the 2001 Canadian Breeders’ Sale, in foal to Archer's Bay for $5,200. Since arriving at her adoptive home, Appealing Sara has gradually began to gain weight and some enthusiasm for life.
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New ORC Website this Spring
The Ontario Racing Commission plans to launch their new website in late Spring of 2005.
By logging on to www.ontarioracingcommission.com
you will be able to access the following
information:
• Race date calendars
• Copies of the Rules of Racing
• Information on the appeals process
• Licensing information and forms in printable PDF format
• Answers to ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ • Death Registry information
• Information on proposed rule changes
• ORC goals and objectives
• List of officials and veterinarians
• Information on ORC initiatives
• Locations and operating hours of
ORC offices
• Integrity Hotline!
and more.
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