The following SPCA press release notes that the horses were seized in January and Shenko convicted in July, a mere 6 months from apprehension to conviction. Why were the foster parents of the 10 dogs told it would most likely be two years that they would be fostering these dogs when court proceedings can move so much quicker?

Additionally, our "injustice" system has deemed this abuser worthy of paying a massive fine of $200.00! The message that this promotes is one of minimizing animals suffering, abuse and value in life.

Kelowna Man Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty Charges

July 18, 2003. For Immediate Release: Albert Shenko of Kelowna today pled guilty to one count of animal cruelty under the Criminal Code of Canada, following a cruelty investigation by BC SPCA Special Provincial Constables.

The BC SPCA seized two thorough-bred horses - a mare and a gelding - from Mr. Shenko's property on January 7th, 2003.

"The veterinarian who assisted us with the investigation used the industry standard Body Conditioning Scoring Chart, which rates horses on a scale of one to nine," said SPCA Constable Brad Kuich. "In this case she rated the condition of one of the seized horses at 2.5, which indicates that an animal is emaciated, and the other at 3." Kuich adds that when the search warrant was executed on the property there was no evidence of water having been in the trough, the horses' hooves were overgrown to the point of inflicting pain, and there was no food in evidence.

Despite receiving emergency veterinary care following the seizure, the mare could not be saved and had to be humanely euthanized. The gelding has recovered and is awaiting adoption at an undisclosed location in Kelowna.

In court today Mr. Shenko received a $200 fine and the maximum prohibition of two-years from owning or keeping animals. Craig Daniell, Acting CEO and Head of Cruelty Investigations for the BC SPCA, said he is pleased with the guilty plea but is concerned by the limitation of Canada's current anti-cruelty laws. "It is very frustrating that the maximum prohibition from owning animals that the courts can hand down is two years," he said. "It's not much of a deterrent for those who inflict cruelty on animals."