Dr. Mike DeGroot

The appellant appealed a Notice of Removal issued by Animal Welfare Services (AWS) under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, which resulted in the removal of several exotic and domestic animals from his zoo.

AWS inspectors and a veterinarian found the animals were kept in a barn with inadequate ventilation, high ammonia levels, and poor sanitary conditions.

The adjudicator dismissed the appeal, finding that the animals were in distress as defined by the Act and that the Notice of Removal was properly issued based on a veterinarian's written advice that removal was necessary to alleviate their distress.

The appellants appealed the removal of 17 pigs from their property by Animal Welfare Services and the associated statements of account for boarding and care.

The animals were removed after inspectors found them to be in distress due to inadequate access to clean water, poor housing conditions, and untreated medical issues, and following the appellants' failure to comply with previous compliance orders.

The Animal Care Review Board found that the removal was warranted under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, as the animals were in distress and the appellants had not complied with outstanding orders.

The Board confirmed the statements of account, finding the costs reasonable, and dismissed the appeal.