Appeal of two-year suspension for animal cruelty denied; circumstantial evidence established licensee drove nail into horse's hoof.
The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a ruling suspending him for two years followed by two years of probation for committing an act of cruelty to a horse.
The horse was found lame with a horseshoe nail driven deep into its hoof, ultimately requiring euthanasia.
The Ontario Racing Commission panel reviewed circumstantial evidence, including the appellant's motive, opportunity, and expertise as a blacksmith, as well as his prior harassment of the horse's owner.
Applying the balance of probabilities standard, the panel concluded the appellant was responsible for the injury and denied the appeal.
ORCOntario Racing CommissionApr 19, 2011
