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Ontario SPCA
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
NEWMARKET, ON, (March 14, 2007) – On March 5, 2007 Jackie Kay, 48, of Severn Township pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice, Barrie to one count of failing to provide suitable and adequate care to one horse and one count of failing to provide suitable and adequate food to five horses under the Criminal Code of Canada.Ontario SPCA investigators first attended Kay’s property in October 2005 following a complaint regarding the condition of the horses owned by Kay. An investigator found the horses in thin body condition and lacking proper food, water and veterinary care. The horses were kept outside in wet, muddy conditions and in stalls lacking an adequate amount of bedding to provide a dry resting area. As well, the fences were in a state of disrepair (board and electric wire fences falling down).
The Ontario SPCA issued Orders to improve the horses’ living conditions and continued to monitor the property for compliance. Sadly, inspection in June, 2006 revealed one horse unable to stand. On the recommendation of the attending veterinarian, and with the owner’s consent, the horse was euthanized to prevent further suffering. The horse’s body was sent for a necropsy and the remaining four horses were removed due to their thin body condition and Kay’s non-compliance with Ontario SPCA Orders. Kay later surrendered ownership of the animals to the Ontario SPCA.
The horses received special care and nutrients at a boarding facility to help them regain their strength and body condition and they have since been adopted into new homes.
Jackie Kay received a three-year probation, during which time Kay cannot have custody or control of any livestock, directly or indirectly, nor reside at an address where there are livestock. Kay was also sentenced to 90-days house arrest and received a two-year prohibition from owning livestock, which is to run consecutively to the three-year probation order.
“Recognizing the shortfalls of current animal cruelty legislation, more and more Crown attorneys are requesting a three-year probationary period to run consecutively with a two-year prohibition from owning animals – thereby, effectively imposing a five-year ban from owning animals for convicted animal abusers,” says Hugh Coghill, Ontario SPCA Acting Chief Inspector. “While Justices are more frequently agreeing with the request, this is a round-about way to impose more fitting penalties and further demonstrates why we need new, stronger, more effective animal cruelty legislation in this country.”
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:
Hugh Coghill
Ontario SPCA Acting Chief Inspector
1-888-668-7722, ext. 342
hcoghill@ospca.on.ca
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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
