NORTH BATTLEFORD – An 81-year-old Whitkow area rancher who had cattle seized pleaded guilty to wilfully causing or permitting an animal to have unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.
Judge Kevin Hill handed Morris Tokaryk a 30-day conditional jail sentence to be served in the community and prohibited him from owning animals for five years.
The remaining charge was withdrawn by Senior Crown Prosecutor Jennifer Schmidt in North Battleford Provincial Court on May 3.
Executive Director Don Ferguson with Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan (APSS), told Â鶹ÊÓƵ.ca that between April 6 – 8, 2022, APSS officers executed a warrant on a rural property in the area of Whitkow and with help from Blaine Lake RCMP, they seized 308 cattle in distress.
Tokaryk was initially charged under Canada’s Criminal Code with causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to the animals, and failing to provide adequate water, food, and care for the animals. He was also charged under the Animal Protection Act for allowing animals to be in distress and failing to comply with a corrective action order.
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