Animals, guns seized from ‘disgusting’ conditions
“Disgusting.”
That’s how a veteran Calgary police officer described the scene of Tuesday’s animal-neglect investigation that saw humane society investigators and police officers seize 40 animals and lay charges against a 56-year-old Calgary man.
“These animals were absolutely in distress,” said Staff Sgt. Guy Baker of the centralized general investigation section, speaking to media at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
“In the 31 years that I’ve been a police officer, I’ve never seen such a disgusting and dirty environment in which to live — as humans and also to raise animals.”
Early Tuesday, officers descended on a ranch in the 8300 block of 150th Avenue S.W., which the Calgary Humane Society said resulted in the rescue of 40 dogs, cats, birds and reptiles — all described as being “in distress.”
Fred Albert Brokop is charged with one count of breach of court order and 15 weapons-related charges — the latter concerning a number of improperly stored firearms found on the property.
He’s scheduled to appear in court March 14.
Court records show Brokop was charged with causing or permitting distress to a female quarter horse between May and August 2015, as well as an unspecified number of ducks later the same year.
He pleaded guilty and was given a $500 fine and a 10-year ban on owning or caring for animals, and is listed on the Calgary Humane Society’s online prohibited owner’s list.
In addition to Brokop, police also found a number of people living in houses, trailers and outbuildings scattered throughout the property, some of which, Baker said, were almost immediately condemned.
Investigators’ concerns centred largely around the living conditions of the animals — described as a mix of farm and domestic — said Brad Nichols of the Calgary Humane Society.
“We’re not alleging any abuse at this stage, but certainly there would be some neglect in play,” he said during Wednesday’s news conference.
As for the overt police presence at the property — including the Calgary police tactical unit — Nichols said the size of the property and concerns over safety necessitated a cautious approach.
“With that scale of property and that many buildings, there’s a concern about officer safety because it’s hard to contain the property,” Nichols said.
“It certainly was a situation where we had to put a lot of resources and planning into.”
Baker said evidence found at the scene suggested further criminal activity on the property, prompting police to obtain a second search warrant Tuesday evening, followed by a third on Wednesday.
Nichols declined to get into specifics about the condition of the seized animals but said the prognosis largely looks good.
Calgary police and CHS officers were assisted by the RCMP, Tsuut’ina Police and Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers, as well as the Calgary Fire Department Hazmat support unit, Calgary EMS, AHS public health officials, Alberta Environment and Parks, Environment Canada, and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.
Nichols said further animal-related charges may be laid against Brokop as the investigation continues.
Baker also mentioned the possibility of criminal charges being laid against others found at the property, but declined to elaborate due to the ongoing investigation.