Manitoulin Island resident found guilty of animal cruelty
Ontario SPCA
Monday, May 07, 2007
NEWMARKET, ON, (May 7, 2007) — David Pryor of Mindemoya, on Manitoulin Island, was found guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice, Gore Bay on April 27 of four Criminal Code of Canada charges of wilfully failing to provide suitable and adequate care to 23 horses and a bull.In March 2006, Ontario SPCA investigators attended Pryor’s properties following public complaints regarding the condition of over 30 horses owned by Pryor. At one of the locations, investigators found the horses undernourished, infested with lice, lacking in common general maintenance (e.g. hoof trimming) and living in unsanitary and unsuitable conditions. Ontario SPCA investigators issued Orders under the authority of the Ontario SPCA Act. Following non-compliance with these Orders and further inspection by a veterinarian, all of the horses in Pryor’s custody at this location were removed and charges were later laid.
Of the charges Pryor was found guilty of, the first related to wilful failure to provide suitable and adequate care for a mare, a stallion and a juvenile horse. The second charge related to failing to provide suitable and adequate care for a stallion. The third charge related to 19 horses kept outside of the barn. These horses were examined by a veterinarian and found to be thin, requiring hoof trimming, and without food, water, parasite control and mineral supplements. The fourth charge related to a bull kept in the barn. The bull was thin, lice infested, without food and water, and housed in unacceptable conditions.
“This is one of the largest and longest cases handled by the Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District Branch – exceeding a year in length,” says Alison McAllister, Ontario SPCA Senior Inspector for the Northern Region. “A tremendous amount of staff resources and Society funds have been required to care for the horses and the care is still ongoing. When we do a large-scale rescue such as this there is a commitment of staff and financial resources on our part that as a charity can be a struggle. But this is the animal protection service the community expects of us, and we deliver on that expectation.”
Most of the horses removed still remain in the Society’s care until Mr. Pryor’s sentencing, which is scheduled for June 22. The Judge ordered a pre-sentence report prior to sentencing.
To make a donation to the Ontario SPCA call Cathy at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 322.
To report suspected animal abuse call the Ontario SPCA at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 1, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), your local Ontario SPCA Branch, affiliated humane society or police.
Media Contact:
Alison McAllister – Ontario SPCA Senior Inspector – Northern Region
or Al Bentley, Branch Manager, (705) 566-9582
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The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA): Protecting animals since 1873, the Ontario SPCA is a registered charity comprised of over 50 branches and affiliated humane societies relying primarily on donations to fund animal protection, care and rehabilitation for all animals, government and industry advocacy, and public education. The Ontario SPCA Act mandates the Society to enforce animal cruelty laws and provides Society investigators with police powers to do so – making the Ontario SPCA unique among animal welfare organizations in the province. The Ontario SPCA is a member of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, and is affiliated with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Ontario SPCA Provincial Office, 16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR3 Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4W1 • 1 888 ONT-SPCA (688-7722) • www.ontariospca.ca • info@ospca.on.ca
Charitable Business Number 88969 1044 RR0002
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