OSPCA, OPP respond to animal welfare concerns about Norfolk County horses

The Ontario SPCA and provincial police in Norfolk County are investigating after concerned community members have been sounding the alarm about the welfare of horses at a property near Waterford.

OPP Const. Ed Sanchuk said police received calls and were alerted to social media posts from various residents Friday evening about the horses, which are located near Cockshutt Road and Thompson Road East.

“Ongoing action is being taken to help these animals,” the OSPCA said in a statement on its website. “The Society would like to reassure the public that we have been out to visit the animals several times and have addressed any concerns reported.”

Sanchuk said the owner told him the three animals are rescue horses.

One of the horses was “extremely ill” and was euthanized Saturday, Sanchuk said.

He said the euthanization had originally been planned for Thursday, but had to be postponed because of a conflict with the veterinarian’s schedule.

The two other horses on the property remain under veterinary care, Sanchuk said.

Sanchuk said police have previously received calls from concerned members of the public about the treatment of horses at the property.

The owner is “very, very upset and distraught,” he noted.

On Sunday, OPP closed Cockshutt Road between Concession 10 and Thompson Road as protesters gathered at the property over the weekend.

Sanchuk said the stretch of road would be closed indefinitely.

In its statement, the OSPCA said it recognizes pictures of the horses shared on social media are “concerning” but noted “images on social media do not share the full story.”

The horses are sick and have been undergoing veterinary care, the statement reads.

“Whenever we have visited the property to address concerns brought forward, the owners have always worked well with us to ensure the animals are getting the care they require,” it says. “The horses have always had food, water and shelter available to them when we have visited the property.”

The OSPCA is asking people to contact them or police if they have concerns about the treatment of an animal.