By Nigel Maxwell

Sask. cattle owners charged in relation to animal cruelty case

Sep 1, 2021 | 9:00 AM

LOVE, Sask. — Nearly a year-and-a-half after over 100 cattle were seized from a farm in northeast Saskatchewan, charges have been laid against the three respective owners.

Donald Black, Connie Black-Sturby, and Maureen Black, who farmed in the Love, Sask. area, have all been charged under section four of the Animal Protection Act, which relates to an individual causing an animal to be in distress.

Maureen Black also faces two additional charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, alleging she allowed an animal to be caused unnecessary pain, or suffering; but also that she neglected to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care.

The case dates back to April 2, 2020 and the charges were laid seven months later. While the investigation is handled by the Animal Protection Service of Saskatchewan (APSS), the ultimate decision to lay charges falls under RCMP jurisdiction.

Don Ferguson, Executive Director of APSS, explained that to ensure that people are charged under the appropriate section of the animal protection act and the criminal code, sufficient evidence is required and that includes detailed forensic veterinary work.

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“We are at the mercy of how long those tests take,” he said. “In most of our cases, it’s anywhere from six to nine months.”

If the owners are found guilty, possible penalties include a $25,000 fine, imprisonment for up to two years, and a restriction on owning animals for a specified period of time.

The Village of Love is located roughly 120 km northeast of Prince Albert on Highway 55. The three accused are scheduled to make their first court appearances on Sept. 15 in Nipawin.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell