SPCA investigating ranch

UPDATE: 12:15 p.m.

BC SPCA’s chief prevention and enforcement officer says they are absolutely investigating animal cruelty claims made against a Vernon ranch. 

Marcie Moriarty tells Castanet they have been in contact with Carla Christman, the owner of the ranch on Irish Creek Road that has been involved in controversy over the care of their horses.

“The animals have been examined, there have been instructions, and there will be instructions on any new allegations brought forward,” she said.

Cruelty claims date back almost 10 years ago, and Moriarty was involved with investigations of Christman in 2009.

“Back in 2009 we had a case involving Ms. Christman. She ended up facing charges and received a sentence and condition back then,” said Moriarty. 

But this, Moriarty said, is a new situation and has to be dealt with accordingly under the prevention of cruelty to animals acts.

“It is complicated in the particulars of details to when certain animals came into her care, and that is very key to any action taken by the BC SPCA,” she said. 

BC SPCA says the horses of concern were not in her custody consistently.

Christman tells Castanet that “34 of my horses were stolen… released into Pinaus Lake range” and left there for “three months.”

“We have paid for all of the hay … our horses are cared for by us. These animals have not gone a single day without food.”

Christman claims the horses came into her care thin.

“The last four horses that are thin are very difficult to put weight on, the cold weather causes a whole lot of issues,” she said. “All of which were up on Pinaus Lake.”

When asked if the ranch was visited by constables to ensure cruelty wasn’t continuing after Christman pleaded guilty to one count of failing to provide necessities for animals in 2012, Moriarty said no. 

“Unfortunately, we as an organization [does not] get any funding from the government to do our cruelty investigations work, we don’t have a system to provocatively monitor cases,” she said. 

“In a perfect world, yes, but the reality is no.”

When the BC SPCA receives a complaint, they send out constables to investigate and meet with the animal owner. If the constables note that the animal meets the definition of distress, the individual would be given a notice as to what the expectations of care were.

“We are not ignoring this case, we are going on facts not emotions,” she said.

“Our priority is to ensure that any animal that might meet the definition of distress are free from distress in a reasonable amount of time and if that doesn’t happen we would absolutely be moving forward.” 

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ORIGINAL: 5 a.m.

A Vernon woman who previously had animals seized by the BC SPCA is causing controversy again.

Animal activists are speaking out about a ranch on Irish Creek Road, alleging that dozens of animals are malnourished and neglected.

“We are begging and pleading for the police and the SPCA to step in and do something before it’s too late,” said Amy Soranno.

Animal abuse at the ranch dates back to 2009, when Carla Christman was arrested and over 70 animals were seized from the North Okanagan property.

BC SPCA constables seized 28 thin and emaciated horses with untreated injuries on Christman’s property in December 2009. Investigators also discovered dozens of dogs and four cats inside an unventilated area that was so thick with the stench of ammonia and feces that officers gagged upon entry.

"When our officers arrived on the scene, the horses were in a state of great distress, suffering from unacceptably thin body condition, internal parasites, multiple wounds, untreated lameness and overgrown hooves," said cruelty investigator Marcie Moriarty.

In 2012, Christman plead guilty to one count of failing to provide necessities for animals.

Social media posts sparked fury among activists, and both Soranno and Chantel Balch went to visit the owner on different days.

“We could clearly see the ribs protruding out of their sides, all their bones were sticking out,” said Soranno. “A few of the horses were an OK weight, but there were some that were severely underweight, particularly the babies.”

Balch, who started a petition after visiting the ranch, says she can’t forget what she witnessed.
 
“Fifty to 100 animals completely malnourished, being neglected, there was no food or water for any of the animals, and I did witness the horses eating feces and plastic,” she said. “When I left there, I was bawling hysterically… I felt sick to my stomach … I’ve never seen anything like this.”

She reached out to RCMP and SPCA, but said she believes not enough is being done.  

“They keep repeating the cycle,” said Balch. “It’s a disaster.”

When Soranno visited the ranch on Saturday, she told the owner she had concerns about animal welfare.

“I asked about water access, and she said that the trough is broken at the moment and would need a plumber to come out. I asked if the horses had any access to shelter, and she said they could go up into the trees if they want to,” said Soranno.

She is concerned the horses won’t make it through the winter.

“They are so tiny I don’t know how they are going to make it… none of them have any blankets, their coats aren’t thick enough… it’s awful,” said Soranno.

BC SPCA had not responded to a request for comment Sunday, and the number listed for the ranch is no longer in service.

“Unless the law steps in, I don’t know what else we can do at this point other than keeping the pressure on,” said Soranno.