‘It is actually unhealthy. They’re all going to die,’ fears native animal advocate; farm proprietor insists she’s ‘not an animal abuser’
Allegations of “severe neglect” involving a number of horses at a rural property in Oro-Medonte have sparked outrage amongst native residents who’re calling for intervention, whereas the proprietor strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Barb MacLeod, the previous supervisor of the Comfie Cat Shelter, claims a number of horses at 248 Line 6 N., owned by Stephanie Redlick, are being uncared for and left with out meals or water.
“It’s really bad. They are all going to die,” MacLeod mentioned. “One colt is already dead. It’s brutal.”
Redlick, who says she owns 15 horses on the property, denies any claims of neglect.
“I have food and water for the horses. These accusations are bogus,” she mentioned.
However MacLeod says she and different native residents have noticed the animals in poor situation for greater than a 12 months. Involved for his or her welfare, she says a good friend of hers contacted police Thursday.
“They are just bones,” she mentioned. “The woman who owns them lives in Toronto, and nothing is being done to help them.”
Morgan Chestnut, who spends time at a neighbouring barn, says the scenario is “absolutely disgusting.”
She claims to have seen horses mendacity in their very own feces, affected by hoof infections and hunger, and even a lifeless foal left in a stall with its mom.
“The way a horse’s digestive system works is they have to be eating constantly, or else they will get a bellyache and their intestines will twist,” Chestnut defined. “I honestly don’t know how these horses are still alive.”
She says as a result of meals, water and shelter are generally current on the property, authorities have been unable to take away the horses.
Chestnut believes the regulation doesn’t go far sufficient to guard horses from neglect.
“There’s no one out there that looks out for horses who are being abused and neglected anymore,” she mentioned. “The only reason they’re alive is they have a bit of grass in the field that grows in the summer.”
Redlick says she has been rescuing animals for seven years and just lately saved 15 horses from slaughter.
“I lost $100,000 last week saving horses off the slaughter pipeline,” Redlick mentioned. “I’m not an animal abuser.”
Redlick additionally alleges one of many folks reporting her for animal neglect, has trespassed on her property and even harmed one among her horses.
“The police are in the midst of an investigation,” she mentioned. “I have had the horse down at an animal hospital for the last month now.”
When requested about studies of a lifeless foal in a stall with its mom, Redlick didn’t deny the declare.
“That is none of anybody’s business other than my veterinarian clinic, my law firm, my attorneys and the courthouse,” she mentioned.
Redlick, who says she belongs to the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, insists she has dependable suppliers and supporters within the horse trade.
“I have hay suppliers all over the world,” she mentioned. “I have feed companies that sponsor me. I have big horse mentors from many breeding farms that would vouch for me ’til the day they die.”
She additionally says it is not uncommon for a few of her rescued animals to seem malnourished upon arrival.
“You might see a couple of animals not in the best condition because they’ve just been rescued,” she mentioned.
Redlick confirmed somebody from the Animal Welfare Company of Ontario has visited the property, however insists it discovered no cause to take motion.
“They have nothing to charge me with,” she mentioned. “There is no issue. I’m in touch with the supervisor, and my law firm and attorneys have spoken to them. They said they can’t charge me with anything because they found food and water.”
She additionally refuted claims she is absent from the farm, stating she is there “basically 24/7.”
“Our legal professionals, investigators, and the police and legal courts will take care of our pursuits whereas we watch the saboteurs hoisted by their very own petard,” she mentioned.
Orillia OPP didn’t reply to OrilliaMatters’ request for remark earlier than publication.
