Q And what, if anything, did you observe about the condition of these horses? (At the first inspection, February 25, 2003)

A I noticed that they didn't have water available and it appeared as if they all required some hoof -- needed their hooves trimmed.

Q Why do you say that?

A They looked overgrown.

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Q During the course of this (second) inspection did anybody else arrive -- come and deal with any of the horses?

A Only during our first inspection on February 25th I recall a farrier did attend and he did start to address the hooves on the skinny brown gelding that was at the front of the house.

Q And how did you know this person to be a farrier on that first visit?

A I can only say that he had all the equipment that a farrier would have. He had all the trimming tools, cutters and a stool, and he appeared to be quite proficient at what he was doing.

Q So you actually watched him work on the --

A I watched him --

Q -- horses?

A -- briefly, yes.

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Q Now, when you attended on that date (first inspection, February 25, 2003), you indicated that you observed a farrier to be in attendance, correct?

A Yes, it was indicated that he was a farrier. Ms. Douglas said she was having a farrier attend.

Q Was the farrier there when you got there or did the farrier get there after you got there?

A He got there just after we were there.

Q So before you'd had any real discussion about the condition of the hooves of the animals?

A Yes.

Q So it's apparent that before ever even the observation was made about the hooves of the animals or certainly before you'd raised it with these people, that this farrier had been pre-arranged to be there and it was just fortuitous that you got there basically at the same time.

A Yes.

Q And the farrier was there to deal with the issues of the hooves on the animals, correct?

A That's correct.

Q And you say that you watched him do this and apparently this person exhibited some skill at the task.

A He appeared to me to be somewhat knowledgeable of what he was doing, yes.

Q Had all the tools and seemed to get right at it and be able to make quick work of the task?

A That's correct, yes.

Q And you obviously paid enough attention to watch him do that to formulate some opinion, correct?

A Yes.

Q So did you watch for five, ten minutes? Something like that? I don't know what it takes for you to form (indiscernible) that.

A Just a few minutes, yes.

Q All right. You were trying to be pretty observant on your occasion -- on attendance on the 25th of February?

A I tried.

Q Do you recall if perhaps that farrier was a woman?

A I can't recall.

Q I'm going to suggest to you it was a lady by the name of Abby. I'm not sure if you've heard the name at all.

A No.

Q Is it possible it was a woman or do you specifically recall it being a man?

A No, I can't recall at this time.

Q To this point you've been fairly clear in your evidence in saying "he" and describing what "he" did and "his" level of skill.

A Perhaps I was mistaken.

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Constable Kuich left written "Cruelty Report" instructions with Douglas/Hill that the horses hooves needed trimming, even though the farrier was already at the Douglas/Hill home and trimming hooves when Kuich arrived. He didn't even remember if the farrier was male or female, didn't take the farrier's name, didn't ask the farrier if the Douglas/Hill's used her service regularly. But he put on a document that is designed to be a court exhibit, to be used by the SPCA against owners of animals seized by the SPCA, that the horses hooves needed trimming.