Twenty-seven horses have been seized from a Murrayville property and charges are expected, according to the BC SPCA.

The horses were in various stages of distress when they were seized on Dec. 15, 2018, BC SPCA Const. Eileen Drever announced Monday.

The horses were seized off a property in the 4300-block of 224th Street, where they were living in unsanitary and muddy pastures with hazardous objects, had lack of nutrition, lice infestation, overgrown hooves, rainscald from inadequate shelter, and lack of access to water, according to Drever.

香蕉视频直播淲e received a complaint about the condition of the horses, and we responded,香蕉视频直播� she said, explaining that happened back in early December.

香蕉视频直播淭he investigation is just about complete now, so we will be recommending charges to Crown counsel, and it香蕉视频直播檚 up to Crown counsel if they will proceed with the charges,香蕉视频直播� Drever explained.

It could included charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, which carry penalties of up to five years imprisonment and as much as $10,000 fine. Or it could be charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that carry a maximum lifetime prohibition of possessing animals, two years in jail, and a $75,000 fine, Drever said.

香蕉视频直播淭he goal when we come across an animal in distress is to give the owner or caregiver an opportunity to relieve that distress. The owner failed in this case. As a result we were successful in the application of a search warrant.香蕉视频直播�

Drever explained that the SPCA waited six weeks before making the situation public because they were waiting to see if the seizure would be disputed.

香蕉视频直播淭he owner or caregiver can dispute the seizure, and that香蕉视频直播檚 to a third party, and so much time has to pass for that. This individual did not dispute the seizure and that香蕉视频直播檚 why we just made the announcement,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Drever understands it香蕉视频直播檚 hard in the Lower Mainland to have dry paddocks and pastures for animals, but said 香蕉视频直播測ou have to take that into account and provide a dry area for your horses.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淭hey had very little food, and most horses did not have access to water.香蕉视频直播�

Right now, the seized animals are being housed at the Surrey SPCA barn.

According to Drever, some of the horses have already been adopted.

香蕉视频直播淪ome horses have actually come around and are doing really well. Some of the horses will be with us a bit longer because we have to ensure they are completely healthy.香蕉视频直播�

The identity of the horse owner has yet to be revealed.

Sharon Wells-Ackermans, president of the Horse Protection Society of BC, confirmed with Black Press that none of the horses belong to her Langley-based rescue organization, despite its past affiliation with the property in question.

She did acknowledge that her group rented the same property for approximately 10 years, and called it a 香蕉视频直播渄ifficult property to upkeep.香蕉视频直播� But she noted her team downsized and relocated to its current home, at 24463 16th Ave., back in 2017.

Although the Horse Protection Society of BC won香蕉视频直播檛 be taking any of the seized horses 香蕉视频直播� since they are at maximum capacity 香蕉视频直播� Wells-Ackermans said she香蕉视频直播檚 香蕉视频直播渃rossing her fingers,香蕉视频直播� they香蕉视频直播檒l find homes.

香蕉视频直播淭he people in the horse community, I香蕉视频直播檓 hoping, will step forward.香蕉视频直播�

To date, the BC SPCA has spent more than $30,000 caring for these horses, including providing necessary medical treatment.

For adoption information, people can call the SPCA at 604-574-1171.