Dr. Amy Gaw

The appellant appealed a decision by the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector to keep her removed animals (a horse, pigs, poultry, and waterfowl) in care, and appealed the associated Statement of Account for boarding and veterinary costs.

The Animal Care Review Board found that the respondent did not have reasonable grounds to believe the pigs, poultry, and waterfowl would be in distress if returned, as the appellant had made significant improvements to their conditions.

However, the Board upheld the decision to keep the horse in care, finding the appellant failed to demonstrate an ability to provide the necessary nutrition for the horse to gain weight.

The Board also varied the Statement of Account from $8,872.45 to $5,599.15, reducing the boarding rates for the pigs and removing unnecessary veterinary examination fees.

The appellant appealed Statements of Account totaling $60,625.13 issued by Animal Welfare Services for the care and boarding of 40 animals removed from her property.

The animals were removed under the OSPCA Act after inspectors and a veterinarian determined they were in distress due to inadequate shelter, bedding, and nutrition.

The appellant argued the animals were not in distress and that she had arranged to relinquish them to a new owner on the day of removal.

The Animal Care Review Board found the removal was appropriate for all animals except one duck, as the evidence established the animals lacked adequate shelter and were in distress.

The Board confirmed the Statements of Account as reasonable, ordering the appellant to pay the total amount less any costs associated with the duck.