A Supreme Court justice found that a Salmon Arm woman had shortcomings regarding the care of her horses, but she did not neglect them wilfully.

Described in court documents as sa国际传媒渁n experienced and fiercely independent horsewoman,sa国际传媒� Charlene Robinson was found not guilty of two counts in connection with animal cruelty in BC Supreme Court in Kamloops on Oct. 24. The charges resulted from complaints to and interactions with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in December 2013.

Robinson had 20 Arabian horses and one pig in her care on her rural property in Salmon Arm at this time.

With input from a veterinarian, the SPCA had concluded that all Robinsonsa国际传媒檚 animals were in distress due to inadequate water, feed, shelter and care, and had seized three of her mares and two stallions.

Justice Marchand ruled Crown counsel had not met the onus of establishing Robinson wilfully caused her animals unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.

Related:

Regarding Count 1, the judgesa国际传媒檚 findings were: sa国际传媒淢s. Robinson exercised poor judgment, her efforts fell short and she put her animals in jeopardy. Her conduct, however, did not reach the required level of recklessness.sa国际传媒�

Regarding his findings for Count 2, he stated: sa国际传媒淔or the reasons I have already given, I am not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Robinsonsa国际传媒檚 shortcoming were wilful. She did not intentionally harm her animals but she did exercise poor judgment. For example, it was careless of her not to prepare for a sudden turn in the weather. While Ms. Robinsonsa国际传媒檚 conduct was concerning and problematic, she did not cross the line into recklessness.sa国际传媒�

In her defence, Robinson had stated her herd had experienced an overall loss of body condition in early December 2013 due to an unexpected cold snap that caught her off guard.

sa国际传媒淚t had been a warm fall and Ms. Robinson acknowledged that she should have transitioned her horses off her pasture earlier,sa国际传媒� states a court document.

She had also stated all of her horses had adequate shelter; she said she personally took care of her horsessa国际传媒� needs including dental care, farrier work and deworming; and she testified that she observed her animals several times per day and never observed any in a state of pain.

Court documents state: sa国际传媒淪he says that a number of factors beyond her control caused a decline in the condition of her animals and that she was doing everything in her power to meet their needs at the time of the seizures.sa国际传媒�

marthawickett@saobserver.net
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