100 horses for sale following Armstrong cruelty investigation
"LET'S SAVE THIS THING AND MAKE IT TURN OUT FOR THE GOOD"
ARMSTRONG – Homes are being sought for 100 horses in Armstrong following an animal cruelty investigation.
The horses belong to Gary Roberts, 69, who faces two counts of animal cruelty charges stemming from a December 2014 B.C. SPCA investigation.
Seventeen of Roberts’ horses were seized by the SPCA and and the remaining 100 will be put out for a court-ordered sale Feb. 7.
Valley Auction owner Don Raffan says this is the most horses they’ve ever auctioned from a single owner.
“The biggest part of this is spread the word and hopefully everyone will come and support the sale,” Raffan says. “Let’s save this thing and make it turn out for the good.”
A viewing day is set for Friday, Feb. 6, and there will also be some photos posted on the Valley Auction website. The horses will be auctioned at noon on Saturday, Feb. 7. There will also be a tack sale starting at 10 a.m.
A Facebook post about the dispersal sale already has over 500 shares, Raffan says.
“I’m really counting on all these people that talk on Facebook… it’s their turn to ante up and do as they say they do. Let’s get this thing looked after,” Raffan says. “I’m confident homes will be found for all of them.”
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
66 responses
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These horses should be fed and watered and NOT SENT TO THE MEAT PLANT. How in human can people be? First they are starved to death then you want to kill them. This is unacceptable. They need to be farmed out to farmers who can take care of them and then sold for rodeo stock or made into cutting horses. At least as a rodeo horse they will be fed and cared for. As for the owner who did this to these poor horses I hope the law book is thrown at him and he is put in jail for 10 years without parole for animal abuse.
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If anyone can give one of these horses a good home go to the auction on Feb. 7 at Valley Auction if Vernon.
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so a question about your auction…. will you alow meat buyers? because if you do guess what will happe to the majority of these horses…. nothing good
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Sherril Siebert , not a problem.. Just thougth about your idea about getting some people together to get one truck.. and thought hey.. if someone’s willing to help donate a truck.. I’d be more than happy to get any of these animals, where ever need to go.. Just hoping that it might help get more of these animals a second chance at a good life.. and with a cattle hauler. it might be a little more cost effective if a few people want to get together for one truck and trailer.
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Meat market is a huge concern here.My heart breaks for these horses.Sadly, the owner will likely get a slap on the wrist and start all over again.
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why are these not offered free to good homes, really lets try this instead of meat buyers. some would buy but trucking is expensive.
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The meat is shipped to Europe for human consumption because the dog food companies will not use it in their product.
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Sharon, it will cost the SPCA thousands of dollars to rehabilitate the emaciated horses plus court costs to remove them.Read the whole story.
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For anyone across Canada, that may want these animals.. I’m a professional driver that has logged over 1,000,000 miles across north america. For anyone that may have space for these animals, and good homes for these animals. If someone has a truck and cattle hauler to help out.. I will more than happily donate my time, and my driver’s license to help these animals find good homes.. I’d offer up a truck and trailer as well but unfortunatley I’m just a driver.. I’m located in grand prairie, and I was born and raised in revelstoke.. So I know the area fairly well.. There is no distance that’s to large to find these animals a home.. So please guys if you want some pretty amazing horses, let’s put our heads together and get this done! they deserve a Second Chance at a better life.
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Bill D Tench Hey thanks for the offer… I will see what I can do for a truck and trailer!
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This is disgusting, why do people let situations out of hand and starve these beautiful animals. Either sell them or appeal for help. This should never reached this level of pure cruel neglect. It makes me sick to my stomach.I hope all of these horses find beautiful homes and are treated with royalty for the remainder of their lives.
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Who gets the auction money? I hope it’s not that cruel owner!He shouldn’t profit from this.
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Totally agree with you Kelsey – if the SPCA are working to save these poor horses, then they need to follow through and make sure these animals go to homes that can give them a better life and then follow up again to make sure that the new owners are keeping their promises. Let’s hope this happens.
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Seems like where ever you live in this world there is cruelty I hope these poor animals find the good homes they deserve so if you can & have the resources to look after them properly please give a good home to some of them ,who needs baubles & trinkets when you can do some thing worth while with your money come on ladies do it .
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… money from auction…. Presume the owner of the horses as it states “Horse Dispersal Sale for Gary Roberts of Armstrong.”Approx 100 were not seized so he is the legal owner minus sale fee, fines and SPCA and/or court costs.
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I have some horse loving friends out there who have horse loving friends ect please support this auction so these animals go to good homes.
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Don Raffan, if you’re genuine in saying “Let’s save this thing and make it turn out for the good”, I hope you are doing your part pertaining to auction fee’s! Thanks for helping the horses.
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It would be easier if there is a set price for thehorses and they were available to purchase prior to the sale.
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Anyone willing to ship to the states if I place a bid to help out the horses?I cannot go. And I don’t have a trailer.
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Hey Sherril, Just in case… If anyone knows of a truck and cattle trailer they can beg, borrow, and preferably not steal.. I’m willing to put my class 1 license and my time up for absolutley no charge.. to find these great animals a home.. Just in case you got the space and no way to get em there… It’d be amazing to see all these horses go to good homes.. My offer is there for anyone that might be able to find a truck and trailer..
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Laurie Wiggins Mclaren , As a long driver with a heart.. I would say that any cattle hauler would be happy to bring those horses to you.. and just a suggestion, but if you can find a truck and trailer.. (depending on how many you wanted). Lemme know, and I’d be more than willing to donate my class 1 license and time to help these animals.
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They should make sure those meat people aren’t allow those horses have been through enough and deserve a loving home
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Meat buyers don’t buy skinny horses people.It cost to much to fatten them up to sell to the packing plants.I pray for safe new homes for all of them.
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Lynn, the more people that go to the auction to bid the better chance the horses have of finding homes.
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well of course Raffan wants more people to come bid, the more people that bid the more $$ he makes off the cruelty of these horses. They should be offered at a nominal fee.
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Meat buyers will only go so high, the way to stop them from going to slaughter and save them is to out bid the buyer..Plus if the pictures are any example, the plant won’t want them.
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The proceeds from the sale should go first to the SPCA for court and rehabilitation costs, then to Valley Auction for sponsoring the sale.
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let’s hope for the best…. if you can get to the auction, you should also check the court date for this abuser, go there and let the judge know that penalties should be severe.
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How, pray tell, did 100+ malnourished, emancipated and abused steeds, fly under the radar…and NOT be rescued before they reached this pathetic state?How can we be oblivious to this cruelty….this just didn’t happen overnite!
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Hopefully they aren’t bought & sent to a meat packing joint!Never let that guy own another animal!
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if I could afford it I would. please be responsible if you do save one of these poor horses. Getting horses like these take a lot of energy and money to nurse back to health.
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It is not the meat buyers who are the problem its those that breed horses with no purpose in mind.
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You could probably look at their images and get details on the link provided, and call in and bid over the phone on the day of the auction.
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Maybe everyone should get together and hire a horse hauler like Elliott Equine Transport and pay her to bring back a load! If you all have space Kimberley Rae Elliott might be there anyway and she knows horses so she would be one to buy for you… just sayin… (Kim’s going to kill me lol).
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Oh I am sure they are in better care now, all the neighbours will rally around and watch them and feed them.This community is too small to have them go another minute without care….I have spread the word to some I know would love them.
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I help send emails to two horse rancher here in Manitoba maybe they will be interested.
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If you can do it and have space please go to the AUCTION!My concern is that meat plant people will get these horses, that would be awful since they have already struggled to stay alive!
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