The B.C. SPCA seized more animals from a Cedar farm during its second search of the property in just over two weeks, after taking chickens, goats, dogs and cats on its first visit.
Thursday’s search was a follow up to a search on Oct. 31, in response to concerns about the animals’ condition raised by area residents.
The owners had been asked to address certain concerns about the animals’ living conditions, but the society determined the problems had not been sufficiently rectified, said Marcie Moriarty, SPCA chief of protection and outreach services.
SPCA senior protection officer Eileen Drever some of the animals were underweight and most were living in unsanitary conditions.
In the first search, 30 chickens, 14 goats, 13 dogs and three cats were seized, Moriarty said. Animals removed in the second search included another 28 chickens, 48 rats, two snakes, a dog, a cat and a rabbit.
Ladysmith RCMP officers were on hand for both farm visits.
Moriarty said the SPCA routinely calls on local police to accompany its staff when dealing with a search warrant. “It’s part of our protocol to bring along the RCMP to keep the peace.”
The owners have been trying to get the animals that were seized during the first search returned to them, Moriarty said.
“They are currently the subject of a dispute.”
Carrie Daviduk, who lives next door to the property on Adshead Road, told the Times Colonist earlier this month that she first complained to the SPCA in July shortly after her new neighbours moved in, as more and more animals showed up.
She said the goats were housed in a chicken coop and not fed for the month of July.
Daviduk said the neighbours have had up to 300 animals at a time, neglecting to feed them as they became “skin and bones.”
Neighbours have found legs, rib cages and other body parts on their own properties, believed to be from animals that have died and were dragged there from the property by scavengers, Daviduk said.
The owner, whom the Times Colonist did not name because they have not been charged, said many of the goats were rescues and were skinny when they arrived at the property. They also said there was a large stack of hay and goat feed just out of view of neighbours. The owner said two goats were put down but no other animals have died on the property.
