Seized horses to be sold

Photo: Contributed - SPCA

About 100 horses that formerly belonged to an Armstrong man charged with animal cruelty will be put up for auction this weekend.

Valley Auctions will be a busy place on Saturday, and owner Donald J. Raffan says this is a unique scenario for them.

“We’ve had lots of horse sales, but we’ve never had a situation with a hundred head of horses from one person.

“A lot of good is going to turn out of it, because we’ve certainly been bombarded with phone calls. People are going to step in and buy a horse and rehome them – there’s a lot of good in that.”

Raffan has received calls from all over the country, and even some from the United States. He expects a large crowd when the auction gets underway at noon, and that every horse will be sold.

The horses belonged to Gary Roberts, who last month was charged with two counts of animal cruelty and one count of uttering threats, after 16 emaciated horses were seized from his property in December.

The SPCA says it's had multiple dealings with Roberts during the past year, and after recent concerns were not complied with in a timely manor, it was decided to seize the animals.

North Okanagan SPCA protection officer Kathy Woodward says they were forced to remove 16 horses that were not being adequately cared for, but the choice to put the other 100 horses up for auction was Robert’s decision.

“He has been charged, and one of the conditions of his release is that he not have care or control of any domestic animals including, but not limited to, horses after Feb. 17, 2014,” she says.

“So he is selling his horses at auction. We did recommend charges, and one of our concerns was the animals that remained in his care. Crown counsel asked that he not have care and control of animals.”

That may have forced Robert’s hand in the matter, and also brought forward the possibility that some of the horses will now be bought for slaughter. But Raffan says he doesn’t believe that will be the case.

“I don’t think that’s ever going to happen in this particular case.

“I have full confidence in the horse community, that (they) will step up and we’ll get good homes for every one of these horses.”

However, even Woodward admits the prospect of slaughter is one that concerns the SPCA, even though the practice is not illegal.

“It’s legal to buy horses for meat. Nothing can stop people from buying for that purpose,” she says.

“Certainly, that’s not what we want for these horses, but the animal owner understands that’s a risk.

All the horses up for auction Saturday are said to be in good condition. The auction will begin with a tack sale at 10 a.m.