Emaciated horses result in charges
Ontario SPCA
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Newmarket, ON – Julian Cassey, 45, of Stouffville pleaded guilty on June 13 in the Ontario Court of Justice, Newmarket to three Criminal Code of Canada charges of wilfully causing unnecessary suffering to three horses.Cassey was charged on November 16, 2004 following the October 2 rescue of two thoroughbred horses and one Shetland pony from an Aurora-area property rented by Cassey.
On October 1, an Ontario SPCA investigator attended the property following a complaint that day from a member of the public concerning the condition of the horses. At the scene, the horses were found severely emaciated – the thoroughbreds were approximately 400 pounds underweight and the pony about 100 pounds underweight. Although the horses were on pasture during the day, the poor quality of the pasture, coupled with the poor condition of the horses' teeth and a heavy parasite load, was not adequate to maintain body condition. The pony was also suffering from extremely overgrown hooves – it took a farrier five hours to perform corrective trimming of its hooves.
The three horses were removed from the property, but, sadly, one of the thoroughbred horses had to be euthanized on the instruction of a veterinarian due to the severity of his condition. The remaining horse and the pony have improved greatly. Happily, they have been adopted together by a new owner who also has other horses. So, although they endured great hardship together, they will now go on to live out their lives with each other in a caring environment with a family dedicated to their well-being.
“Ontario SPCA investigators often encounter the excuse that an animal is thin because it is old. This case demonstrates that this is merely an excuse,” says Ontario SPCA Livestock Inspector, Doug Rombough. “Given normal levels of food and care, elderly animals are quite capable of living normal lives and maintaining health and body condition.”
Orders were also issued for the care of two horses that remained on the property. Cassey has since given away those horses. He currently owns no animals.
Following Cassey's guilty plea, Justice W.W. Bradley sentenced him to four months house arrest and three years probation, during which he is not allowed to possess, care for, or own any animals and must allow the Ontario SPCA to conduct inspections of any property he owns or at which he resides. Cassey must also pay approximately $3,300 in restitution to the Ontario SPCA and perform 240 hours of community service. Additionally, Cassey received a prohibition order that prevents him from owning or having the custody or control of an animal or bird for two additional years.
In his remarks Justice Bradley said, “If I had the jurisdiction I would prohibit you for life from owning or caring for animals.” The maximum prohibition available under the Criminal Code of Canada is five years, comprising three years probation and a two-year prohibition. Changes to the Criminal Code that would, among other things, permit lifetime bans, have died in Parliament several times in spite of wide support. Bill C-50, the most recent attempt to amend the Criminal Code, is currently before Parliament.
Photos of the horses are available on the Ontario SPCA website at http://www.ospca.on.ca/images/pr/2005_June15.html or via email by request.
For media enquiries, please call: Christine Arnett, Director of Marketing and Communications, 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 305, carnett@ospca.on.ca.
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