An East Coulee area man who was facing a long list of criminal charges and violations under the Alberta Animal Protection Act, has given a ban on owning livestock for 10 years, with exception of a recreational riding horse
John Barry Graham was facing charges dating back to April 2011 when about 450 animals were seized from land known to be part of his family’s holdings near East Coulee. Investigators at the scene deemed the animals to be in distress due to lack of food and water.
Graham appeared in provincial court in Drumheller on Monday, November 17, and pleaded guilty to one charge under section 2(1) of the Animal Protection Act that reads, “No person shall cause or permit an animal of which the person is the owner or the person in charge to be or to continue to be in distress.”
Graham is now prohibited from having the custody, care, control or ownership of all livestock for a period of 10 years. He is permitted to own one recreational riding horse, and it must be identified to the Alberta SPCA. The SPCA also has the right to access to land owned by the family to inspect livestock and take action if required.
The remaining charges, dating back to 2011 have been withdrawn.
