Ramara Township man faces animal cruelty charges following Ontario SPCA investigation of 18 dead elk
Ontario SPCA
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
NEWMARKET, ON, (March 14, 2007) – William Duffy, 61, of the Township of Ramara, has been charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with one count of wilfully failing to provide suitable and adequate food and two counts of wilfully failing to provide suitable and adequate care to animals. The charges follow an investigation of 18 dead elk found on Duffy’s two properties in the Township of Ramara this past December.The Ontario SPCA investigation began in July, 2006 when an Ontario SPCA Livestock Inspector attended Mr. Duffy’s properties to assess the elk and provide educational materials and other resources to assist Mr. Duffy in caring for the animals. As part of ongoing re-checks, the Inspector attended the properties in September, 2006 and determined that the condition of the animals had deteriorated – many were in much thinner condition. During this visit, the Ontario SPCA Inspector issued Orders for care under the Ontario SPCA Act.
The Ontario SPCA Inspector returned to Mr. Duffy’s properties on December 6 to examine the elk under the authority of the outstanding Orders. The Inspector found a number of dead elk in the lower level of a barn and in a paddock. The next day search warrants were executed on the properties and a total of 18 dead elk were discovered. Following a thorough inspection of the property under the authority of the search warrant, the Inspector found that the lower level of the barn contained the bodies of seven dead elk in various stages of decomposition and the upper level of the barn contained another seven dead elk, one of which was hanging through a hole in the floor above the lower level. Four other dead elk were found at two outdoor locations on the properties.
Mr. Duffy is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice, Orillia on April 10, 2007.
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:
Doug Rombough
Ontario SPCA Livestock Inspector
1-888-668-7722, ext. 347
drombough@ospca.on.ca
**************************************************
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
Print this page
