Charges Will Be Filed Against Frank Mackay For Abandoning Belle and Sundance
The Edmonton, Alberta man who left his horses behind on the side of a mountain in British Columbia (B.C.) to “let nature takes its course” will face criminal charges according to an Edmonton Sun report.
Shawn Eccles, the chief animal protection officer for the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (“SPCA”), said that charges will be filed against Frank Mackay to include counts under B.C.’s Animal Protection Act for permitting an animal to be in distress, and counts under Canada’s Criminal Code for abandoning an animal.
Conviction under the Criminal Code could lead to imprisonment for up to five years and a prohibition against owning certain animals.
Eccles is quoted in the Edmonton Sun article as saying
People need to be more aware that animals are sentient beings, that they deserve that all their needs be met and if an owner is not able to do that then there are options to them.
They can surrender animals, they can elect not to have animals.
What should owners do for their horses to ensure that “all their needs be met?”
What if “surrender” means slaughter or euthanasia? Is it better for a horse to face a questionable future that may include suffering or to face certain death?
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