Video taken the day 71 dogs were seized from the Ashworth rescue farm in Trout Creek this summer got a close look at today's Animal Care Review Board hearing today in North Bay.
See previous story: Seized dog hearing resumes.
The defense team, led by Ottawa lawyer Terrance Green, grilled OSPCA lead investigator Nicole Driscoll about the condition inside the farm house that day.
Randy Ashworth watched from outside on a hot summer's day on July13th around 8:30 a.m. as Dr. Gaelin O'Grady of Smiths Falls examined the dogs after a search warrant was executed. Ashworth was not told he had the right to have his own vet of 25 years, Dr. Bob Porter represent him.
Nor was he allowed in, as he was told the vet wanted to examine the dogs alone.
Around noon a photographer for the OSPCA showed up and starting shooting video inside and outside the farmhouse.
In previous testimony Driscoll had told the board that the floor was covered in urine and feces, however video of the floor showed no such thing.
Driscoll explained that the particular shot in the video did not reflect what she had seen that day.
She had also testified that a kitchen counter was covered in feces, however no video could be found to verify that, although an object that Driscoll said was "not technically a kitchen counter" showed a few plastic bags containing feces.
Nor was feces and urine soaked dog's fur shown by the video, although Driscoll had said she had seen it that morning.
Dr. O'Grady had ordered all the dogs inside for inspection at the beginning of the morning, according to Driscoll, and Green questioned her about video being taken four hours after the dogs had been confined to the house.
"If the Ashworth's had been allowed to continue cleaning, when filming it would have appeared much cleaner," he contended. "They were not allowed to continue their chores."
Driscoll countered that the videographer was not called earlier because the decision to remove the dogs was not made until Dr. O'Grady made that decision after her examinations.
Green also took up the issue of eight cats that were being housed in the basement which contained only two litter boxes. Driscoll had earlier testified that each cat should have its own litter box.
Green then pointed out that a Humane Society cage at a local Pet Valu store often contained eight cats for adoption, but only contained three litter boxes.
The hearing is scheduled to wrap up Friday, but no-one is optimistic that will happen. Now in its seventh day, the hearing has proceeded at a snail's pace and could hit 15 days before all witnesses are heard.
It continues Wednesday at 9 a.m.
The OSPCA has presented the Ashworths with a bill for over $180,000 to be paid before it will return the dogs.
See related story: Bill for seized dogs skyrockets
