Cattle seized from an area ranch have been returned to a property east of Drumheller.
inSide Drumheller broke the story in its January 17 edition that cattle were seized from a property known to be owned by the Graham family by the Alberta Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Spokesperson for the ASPCA Roland Lines said at the time of seizure they were taken because of welfare concerns.
The Mail has since learned that on Thursday, February 6 the animals had been returned.
“We negotiated terms for return of the cattle with the owners,” said Lines. “Amongst the terms, our officers looked at the property to be assured that liquid water was available. In addition, before we returned the cattle, we saw they had plowed an area and put out feed. Also, as part of the terms of the return, we will be looking for ongoing feed."
He said a veterinarian assessed the cattle before they were loaded, and also on the property when they were unloaded to assess the condition.
Lines said they seized 129 cattle from the property. Of that, 114 were returned, some cattle were sold, and two cattle perished during the ordeal.
In the process there was also a calf born.
John Barry Graham confirmed with The Mail the cattle were returned.
He said that while his name has been attached to this and other investigations, he does not own any of the cattle involved. In fact, they are owned by the estate of his late father and mother, which has not been settled. He says he does not personally own any livestock involved in these cases, and was not in charge of their care.
He said the cost of the seizure was in the area of $35,000 and the family has not been asked to pay. He also clarified that it was the family’s decision to sell a number of cattle while they were being held. These would have been older cows that were not pregnant.
He also disputes that the cattle were in poor shape.
“Why would they send them back free of charge?” asks Graham. “The fact of the matter is taxpayers of Alberta are once again left on the hook for the $35,000 seizure,” said Graham.
He explains they had their own veterinarian assess the cattle while they were being held. Using a standard scoring process to grade animal health, he said only two were scored at 2.5 out of five. The majority was scored 3.5 and more scored higher.
“There was no reason to move these animals,” said Graham.
Lines said at this point, there have been no charges laid.
