'Personal vendetta': Cattle owner disputes condition of cows seized by SPCA on Vancouver Island
The owner of more than 200 cows that were seized by the SPCA for alleged neglect says the animals were receiving adequate care.
Some 216 cows, including 80 calves, were seized by the BC SPCA at the Vancouver Island property on Jan. 19 and 20.
According to the SPCA, the cattle were suffering from several medical issues, including emaciation, eye infections, and pneumonia, and were not housed in sufficient shelter.
BC SPCA regional manager of cruelty investigations, Kaley Pugh, described the living conditions as "among the worst I've seen" in a release Friday.
However, the owner of the cattle, Russ Crawford, says the cows and shelter were recently looked over by another veterinarian who approved of the site.
"The public and media should know that these cattle were looked after and if the vet had any suggestion they would have been dealt with immediately," Crawford said in a statement Monday.
TIMELINE ACCORDING TO OWNER
On Dec. 24, Crawford says he was contacted by the BC SPCA, when the agency reportedly told him that they were investigating complaints about the condition of the cattle.
The complaints included a lack of access to food and water, and that the cows were being kept in two feet of mud.
Crawford says he invited the SPCA to a site visit any time between Dec. 28 and 30, but "they never showed at the time."
The owner says he also sent the SPCA pictures and drawings of the site, and invited them to come to another site visit on Jan. 10, which they were unable to attend due to weather, according to Crawford.
However, he says a veterinarian with Agwest Veterinary, Dr. Peter Watson, inspected the site on Jan. 10 and said conditions were adequate.
"At the time he was happy with the facilities and recommended good quality hay, lots of access to feed and water(,) which was always adhered to," said Crawford.
On Jan. 19, Crawford says the BC SPCA arrived and began seizing the cattle. Shortly after, the owner says he requested to see the organization's notice of seizure, which was provided two days later on Jan. 21 after "numerous requests."
He adds that he's asked the SPCA if he could do a herd assessment with his own vet and "others that are involved in the industry" but that the organization denied his request, "which is wrong in talking with the BC Cattlemen's Association," he claims.
'MATTER BETWEEN NEIGHBOURS'
Crawford believes the complaints about animal neglect are part of an ongoing dispute with a neighbour.
"This is a matter between neighbours that has over escalated into a personal vendetta to do whatever it takes to have me removed from this site and harm me financially and personally," he said Monday.
He adds that he contacted police and started a harassment file against his neighbours.
Crawford says he never intended to keep the 216 cattle he had at the time, but that auctions he planned to attend on the mainland in December were postponed due to flooding and winter storms.
He had planned to sell more than 150 cattle at the end of January and into February, he says.
The cows are currently being cared for by the BC SPCA in an undisclosed location, where they're receiving veterinary care.
The BC SPCA says it's recommending charges of animal cruelty.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.