Charged!! Stouffville, Ontario

[foster-in-ON]

Julian Cassey, 44, of Stouffville was charged on November 16 under the Criminal Code of Canada with five counts each of failing to provide adequate food, failing to provide adequate care, and causing unnecessary suffering. The charges follow 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, 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 due to the severity of his condition. The remaining horse and the pony have improved greatly but they still have a long road of recovery ahead of them and continue to be under veterinary care. Happily, they have been adopted together by an Ontario SPCA volunteer 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.

Orders were also issued for the care of another two horses that remained on the property, and Ontario SPCA investigators have been monitoring the situation to ensure compliance with those orders.

Cassey is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice, Newmarket on January 7, 2005.