A hearing into the seizure of 71 dogs from a Trout Creek dog rescue farm resumed today at the Best Western.
The Animal Care Review Board is in its sixth day of testimony to decide if the dogs were distressed when seized by the OSPCA earlier this summer.
See related story: OSPCA demanding $104,000 from pet rescue owners.
Late Monday afternoon it was defence lawyer Terrance Green who was cross-examining the OSPCA's lead investigator Nicole Driscoll.
Much of Green's questioning concerned 13 of the dogs that were sent to an animal hospital in London Ontario, and an environmental and health assessment report on the Ashworth's farm and dogs, done by their vet Dr. Bob Porter.
Though Porter didn't do a "hands on" assessment of the dogs according to Driscoll, he did a "visual examination", and did not report any major problems, and noted only a concern for "ventilation" in the environmental report.
Questioned by Green, Driscoll said in a telephone conversation with the vet in London, she was told that all 13 animals required medical care for heart worm or oral care issues.
Driscoll added that a few of the dogs needed dentistry, according to the vet, and the rest of the issues were minor.
The OSPCA inspector was questioned by the lawyer for the OSPCA, Brian Shiller all morning.
She told the ACRB panel about executing a search warrant July 13 on the farm owners, Rebecca and Randy Ashworth, and the conditions of the farm animals and dogs.
Driscoll said Dr. Gaelin O'Grady of Smiths Falls examined the dogs, found them "highly stressed" with some having ear, eye and dental problems. Driscoll added that when she arrived in the house, the Ashworth's son Mike was cleaning urine and feces in the kitchen.
It was O'Grady that signed the order to remove the dogs.
Driscoll told Green that she was "aware that dogs were brought in from other countries" and "aware the dogs had obvious injuries prior to coming in", but added all dogs deserve the same treatment.
The hearing, expected to last until Friday, will resume tomorrow at 9 a.m.
The Animal Care Review Board (ACRB) hears appeals from individuals whose animals have been seized or who have been issued orders by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) under the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
