Charges Laid Against Chilliwack Residents after SPCA Investigation
December 16, 2004. For immediate release. Crown Counsel has formally charged Jan and Craig Huisman of Chilliwack with causing distress to animals under the BC Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act following the seizure of 40 sick and emaciated calves by SPCA animal protection officers in August 2004. SPCA animal protection officers also seized six goats from the Ford Road property in the investigation.

BC SPCA Senior Animal Protection Officer Eileen Drever says many of the animals removed from the property were near death from starvation when officers arrived. "They were so hungry that we were able to get them into the transport vehicles simply by letting them suck on our hands so that we could lead them forward," she says. "The poor little creatures were really desperate." SPCA officers also found the carcasses of four dead animals - two calves and two goats -- on the property. In addition to lack of food, Drever said many of the calves were badly dehydrated and others were forced to lie in wet bedding saturated with urine and feces.

If convicted the Huismans face a maximum $2,000 fine, up to six months in jail and a prohibition on owing or keeping animals.

Further information:
Eileen Drever, Senior Animal Protection Officer: (604) 709-4670;
Lorie Chortyk, Community Relations Manager, BC SPCA:
(604) 647-1316, 1-800-665-1868, or 830-7179 (cell).