Man charged after horses found in trailer

EDMONTON — A man has been charged after police found seven horses abandoned with little food and no water in a trailer parked just off Yellowhead Trail.

Officers received complaints shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday about a truck and 21-foot trailer abandoned just off the Yellowhead, where it intersects with 124th Street.

"When they approached, they could hear horses kicking the sides of the trailer and they could smell urine and feces," West Division Staff Sgt. Blair Edl said.

SEVEN HORSES

Inside, police found seven horses, with scarcely enough feed for one.

"It was clear to them that the horses were in distress," Edl said.

Police were able to secure space for the animals at Northlands, which is hosting the Canadian Finals Rodeo this week.

"When the horses were brought out of the trailer, they began fighting for the food," said Edl, who thanked Northlands for stepping up. "With all of the Farmfair and rodeo, this is probably the last thing they needed."

Initially, the horses were skittish, but calmed down Monday as they got used to their pen and the neighbouring cows on the Northlands grounds.

"We've been an agricultural society for 129 years and our concern is certainly the welfare of animals," Northlands president Ken Knowles said.

"We certainly said we would accommodate them down here: water them, feed them, bed them until we could find proper shelter for them."

Police found the owner of the trailer staying at a nearby hotel.

Based on witness reports, police believe the truck and trailer had been left in the same spot off the Yellowhead for at least two days. The driver told police he was on his way to Manitoba from McBride, B.C., to sell the horses when his truck broke down in the city. He told them he was waiting to get parts.

He said he stayed with the horses the first night, but it was too cold to stay longer, Acting Det. Gary Benoit said. "We're not sure why he didn't call us for help."

Benoit said police are trying to find a home for the horses, ideally with their new owners in Manitoba.

The 74-year-old driver has been charged with causing or permitting an animal to be in distress under Alberta's Animal Protection Act. He faces a maximum fine of $20,000.

bgelinas@thejournal.canwest.com

With files from Cigdem Iltan