Workers with Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan execute a warrant at an Elrose home on the morning of Jan. 9, and more than 100 animals were removed from the property after a registered veterinarian found the animals to be in distress. The case is still under investigation.
By Kenneth Brown
of The Crossroads
At least one person connected to an Elrose property is under investigation after 106 cats, two dogs and a turtle were seized from a home on the property.
Animal Protection Services (APS) of Saskatchewan, an organization responsible for enforcing the province’s Animal Protection Act, executed a warrant in Elrose on Jan. 9 and members of the organization were accompanied to the property by a veterinarian and members from the Rosetown RCMP.
According to officials, authorities attended the property mid-morning between 10 to 11 a.m. to execute the warrant. The APS workers arrived at the property in three rental cargo vans, and they were dressed in white protective clothing.
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Don Ferguson, executive director of Animal Protection Services, spoke on Friday – two days after the search and seizure at the home. He said the warrant was executed as per the Animal Protection Act and he confirmed the warrant was executed a week ago on Wednesday.
He noted that APS entered the building with the registered veterinarian. He said the veterinarian “made a determination that the conditions were such that the animals were in distress and needed to be seized and removed.” He confirmed that 106 cats, two dogs and a turtle were removed from the property.
The case is under investigation and no charges had been laid as of Friday, so APS was not releasing the name of the individual being investigated. Ferguson said while he cannot provide the name, he said the individual “is known to us.”
Ferguson said the organization is consulting with the Crown prosecutor’s office about potential charges, but he could not provide any further details about charges at the time. He said the Animal Protection Act has a definition for animals in distress, and only one condition has to be met for APS to get involved.
“All the criteria don’t have to be met,” he said, referring to the different criteria contained in the legislation. “If any of these criteria are met in any type of situation, they can be considered in distress and seized.”
The criteria for animals in distress include being deprived of food or water sufficient to maintain the animal in good health, care or shelter, veterinary care or medical attention; in need of protection from injurious heat or cold; if they are wounded, ill, in pain, suffering abused or neglected; if they are kept in conditions that are unsanitary, will impair health or well being of the animal over time, cause anxiety or suffering or contravene prescribed standards; or if abandoned by an owner or guardian.
Ferguson said if the current cattery or kennel codes of practice are not upheld, the animals could be deemed in distress. He noted that APS tries to avoid seizing animals, but it is an option if animals are in distress.
“Animals are seized as a last resort,” he said, recognizing that the organization would rather see people caring for their animals in the most appropriate manner. “We’re always looking for compliance within the regulations and the Act.”
He added that it is important for people to know APS is empowered to enforce the Animal Protection Act, and the organization is not affiliated with any of the humane societies or SPCA branches in Saskatchewan. The SPCA enforced the Act until March 31, 2015.
Constable Tania Abbott of the Rosetown RCMP confirmed that two of the detachment’s members accompanied the APS workers to execute the warrant on Jan. 9 in Elrose, but police tag along and assist with the process “just to keep the peace (and) make sure everything remains civil throughout the execution of these warrants.”
She noted that the investigation is primarily the responsibility of Animal Protection Services. Abbott said the execution of APS warrants often go smoothly, but unexpected things will occur because it involves a sensitive situation.
Abbott said the APS workers met police at the detachment and everyone was briefed before leaving for Elrose. She confirmed that the warrant was executed sometime between 10 to 11 a.m. The police will wait to see if charges are laid under the Act before any criminal charges are considered, she added.
Josh Hourie, a community relations co-ordinator for the SPCA, said there is still a lot of confusion between the two organizations, but the SPCA is confident in APS to enforce the Act and the SPCA continues with its work to focus on animal welfare.
“We’re still focused on improving the lives of animals in our province,” he said, adding that APS has the expertise to perform the role and it is unfortunate to learn about situations with animals in distress. “That has become our key focus since 2015.”
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