It was a difficult time on the stand for Randy Ashworth today. Not because of the questioning, but because old mental wounds were re-opened as he defended his actions before an Animal Care Review Board hearing.
His lawyer Terrance Green had warned the two person panel that his client, a veteran of armed forces action in Africa and Afghanistan suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"He has PTSD. Some testimony will trigger flashbacks," Green said.
Ashworth responded, "Working with those dogs is therapy for me."
And so Ashworth soldiered on "because I have to", on the verge of tears for much of his time on the stand.
His lawyer took him through a list of dogs that had been seized from his rescue farm in Trout Creek, and Ashworth dutifully answered giving descriptions of how the dogs had been mistreated in foreign countries.
He told of how in some countries, people kick them and try to run them over with cars...how the dogs arrive, fearful and distrustful of human beings.
Ashworth described a dog called SamSam from Thailand whose back end was crushed by a vehicle and had huge trust issues, was fearful of anyone touching him, was afraid of strangers but responded to the Ashworths as they tried to rehabilitate him.
His testimony was full of emotion, and was visibly upset during a brief break.
"These dogs keep me sane," he told BayToday.
His wife Rebecca was due to testify first this morning and she took the stand looking drawn and weary.
"I haven't slept. I'm very concerned with where the dogs are", she said referring to the overnight action of the Humane Society moving the dogs from their site, to another unknown location.
When asked if she felt she could continue testifying, she said no.
Instead she watched her husband struggle through his.
For the first time, a North Bay police officer was present. Green said it was requested by OSPCA lawyer Brian Shiller and agreed to by ACRB panel member Laurie Sanford.
The morning started with a request by Shiller that a woman be removed from the hearing as a precaution.
Sanford denied the request saying all members of the public would be allowed to stay, but warned the two lawyers that it was their role to control their clients and their supporters.
It was the thirteenth day of the hearing, and will reconvene again Monday January 4th.
It's believed to already be the longest hearing in the ACRB's history.
See related story: Hearing starts on OSPCA dog seizure
