Dozens of horses, cows, sheep, chickens and other animals have been seized from an equine sanctuary north of Teulon amid an ongoing animal welfare investigation by Manitoba’s chief veterinary officer.
Barefoot Ranch owner and founder Sherri Anderson said she was shocked by Tuesday’s seizure and plans to fight it in court. She said she is not aware of any charges against her or the ranch.
“We’re going to court and we’re fighting this,” Anderson said by phone.
She said all of the animals on the ranch were seized, apart from dogs and cats. She was presented with a court authorization for the seizure dated June 7, and said the ranch hasn’t yet been given an opportunity to defend itself.
“It’s a shock, and I think it’s unwarranted and I feel bad for the horses,” she added.
A provincial government spokesperson confirmed the seizure and active investigation on behalf of the chief veterinary office, but didn’t release any other information, including how many animals were seized. The ranch has been under a director’s order from the chief veterinary officer since October.
“The province can confirm that animal welfare staff are on site. Animals have been removed to ensure their safety and to provide them with appropriate care. No further details on this ongoing investigation can be provided at this time,” the spokesperson said.
At the time of the seizure, the 120-acre ranch and registered charity was home to 52 horses, many of which had been surrendered by their owners. There were 14 underweight horses that were on feeding regimens to gain weight, Anderson said. She said the ranch has been under a director’s order from the chief veterinary office since October to make improvements — including bringing in additional water troughs and more bedding for horses — and be subject to regular visits.
As a result of that order, Anderson said she has been in regular contact with the veterinary office and believed the ranch was meeting its requirements.
“I did not expect this… we were working very hard to make the improvements they suggested.”
About two weeks ago, Anderson said she wasn’t present when the chief vet’s office visited the ranch and seized two sheep, a goat, a rabbit and ducks. The officials alleged the animals were emaciated and not receiving vet care, which Anderson said is false.
A Strangles outbreak on the ranch in recent months caused some horses to lose weight, but none died as a result of that outbreak, Anderson said. Strangles is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the streptococcus bacteria and is sometimes called equine strep.
Anderson said she believed the chief veterinary office was under public pressure to open a probe in part because of a “vendetta”-fuelled social media campaign in recent weeks that included photos and videos of emaciated-looking horses. She said she was told the office received 68 calls about the ranch within two days.
Ashley Wiebe brought her five goats to Barefoot Ranch this spring after her family made the decision to sell their farm in Stanley, Man. After seeing photos of “starving horses” and video on social media, including footage that showed one of her goats limping, Wiebe pulled the goats out on May 20.
They had been there for eight weeks, their condition had noticeably deteriorated and they had lice, Wiebe said. She said she observed cramped conditions for the animals and a lack of hay and shelter. She said she believed animals were starving and neglected.
Wiebe was among the individuals who put in animal-welfare complaints with the chief vet’s office.
“People are very upset,” Wiebe said, calling for stronger animal-protection legislation in Manitoba. “We’re very concerned about their welfare, for sure.”
Anderson founded the ranch sanctuary in 2012 and incorporated it in 2016. It became a registered charity last year. Anderson disputed any allegations about improper care of the animals and suggested this seizure will send a chilling message to farmers and other animal-rescue operators in Manitoba.
“If they can take animals from us, I can tell you we take very good care of the animals here, they can take them from anyone.”
katie.may@freepress.mb.ca
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