WINNIPEG—A landmark trial is set to proceed in Winnipeg on Thursday (Feb. 12). It will likely be the first time in Canadian history that a private prosecution involving farmed animals has made it to trial.
The case was brought by Animal Justice against Carolyle Farms, a Manitoba-based live horse exporter, which allegedly violated federal animal welfare laws by transporting horses to Japan for slaughter without food, water, or rest for over the legal 28-hour limit.
The charges were laid by Animal Justice following a December 2022 shipment of horses from Winnipeg, which was delayed due to a snow storm in Alaska, where the plane was scheduled to refuel. After deciding to proceed with the shipment despite the known delay at least three horses collapsed on the journey which exceeded the legal time limit.
Carolyle Farms is charged with failing to have a contingency plan, as required by the Health of Animals Regulations, when transporting these horses. The Regulations require exporters to have a contingency plan setting out measures to be taken to comply with the law in the case of delays that could cause suffering, injury, or death to animals
A Manitoba judge allowed the charge to proceed in 2024, after federal authorities declined to take enforcement action. The trial was originally scheduled for May of last year, but the defence successfully sought an adjournment. The case marks a rare use of the private prosecution process, where charges are laid by a private individual rather than the government.
“This is a history-making moment for the legal protection of animals in Canada as it’s most likely the first time a private prosecution involving farmed animals has proceeded to trial,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, Winnipeg-based lawyer and director of legal advocacy at Animal justice. “The few laws that do protect horses during transport are meaningless if they are allowed to go unenforced.”
Trial Details:
Thursday, Feb. 12 & Friday, Feb. 13
10:00 a.m. CDT
Manitoba Provincial Court, Law Courts Building, 408 York Avenue, Winnipeg
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]