OACRB 2025

The appellant appealed a Statement of Account (SOA) issued by Animal Welfare Services for $1,536.80 in costs incurred to remove a broken halter from his horse.

The appellant argued the intervention was unnecessary and the costs excessive, and claimed an inability to pay.

The Animal Care Review Board found the horse was in distress and the costs for the emergency vendor services were reasonable.

The Board also found the appellant failed to establish a limited ability to pay, noting inconsistencies in his financial evidence.

The appeal was dismissed and the SOA was confirmed.

The appellant's dog was removed by Animal Welfare Services and a statement of account was issued.

The appellant failed to appeal or pay the statement of account within the required time, resulting in the dog's automatic forfeiture to the Crown under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.

The Chief Animal Welfare Inspector brought a motion to dismiss the appellant's appeals of the removal and decision to keep the animal, arguing the matters were moot.

The Animal Care Review Board granted the motion, finding it has no jurisdiction to order the return of an animal once forfeited to the Crown, and declined to exercise its discretion to hear the moot appeals.