June 28, 2010

OUTLOOK - Two area farmers pled guilty to charges of animal distress in an Outlook courtroom last week.

Wayne and Barrett Robinson, who farm northeast of Outlook, were charged under The Animal Protection Act with causing or allowing their cattle to be or continue to be in distress. They appeared in court on June 24.

The two farmers were fined $5,000 each, plus a surcharge of $750 each, and are prohibited from owning any animal other than a cat or dog for 10 years.

After receiving a complaint, the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals dispatched an animal protection officer to the Robinson farm on March 2, 2009. The officer found a herd of beef cattle in severe distress, huddled together and bawling.

The cattle appeared emaciated. The officer also found cattle carcasses throughout the property; the number of dead animals was later estimated at 225. After a veterinarian inspected the animals, they were removed from the property. Fourteen cattle were euthanized due to their condition, and 288 live animals were seized.

The leaderonline is a division of The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada.