Sudbury-area farmer found guilty of animal cruelty charges
Ontario SPCA
Friday, April 13, 2007
NEWMARKET, ON, (April 13, 2007) – Aurelien Marcotte, 80, of Chelmsford, located within the City of Greater Sudbury, was found guilty on April 2 in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sudbury, of failing to provide suitable and adequate shelter for cattle and causing unnecessary suffering to cattle under the Criminal Code of Canada and the charge of failure to dispose of deceased cattle within 48 hours under the Dead Animal Disposal Act.Following complaints from the public, Ontario SPCA investigators, together with a veterinarian, executed a search warrant at Marcotte’s property on March 31, 2006. After completing an inspection of the entire property Ontario SPCA investigators issued Orders under the authority of the Ontario SPCA Act regarding the conditions on the property, the housing of the animals and the removal of dead animals from the property.
Subsequently, on May 19 Marcotte was charged under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Dead Animal Disposal Act. Evidence on these charges was heard during court dates in December 2006 and March 2007. The Dead Animal Disposal Act states that all dead animals must be disposed of within 48 hours. A “dead animal” means the carcass, or any part thereof, of a horse, goat, sheep, swine or head of cattle that has died from any cause other than slaughter.
Marcotte’s sentence includes two years probation for each of the Criminal Code convictions – to run concurrently – and a two-year prohibition from owning animals, commencing November 1, 2007. Marcotte was allowed an appropriate period of time to dispose of the remaining cattle – estimated by Marcotte to be 18 – from his property. The judge also ordered that Marcotte must allow an Ontario SPCA Agent or Inspector to visit Mr. Marcotte’s property immediately following his sentencing decision to assess the number and condition of cattle remaining. Marcotte was further ordered not to acquire any more cattle and inspection rights were granted to the Ontario SPCA, with a provision of 24-hours notice, to ensure compliance of the court’s orders. Marcotte was also fined $2,000 under the Dead Animal Disposal Act.
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
Senior Inspector – Northern Region
(705) 566-9582
apsnorth@hotmail.com
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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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