Rancher fails to meet all conditions for animals' return

The man charged with animal cruelty after over 300 head of livestock were removed from his East Coulee ranch by the Alberta SPCA in April has paid a $160,000 court ordered fine for the animal’s return, but has failed to provide adequate fencing around his property.

    John Barry Graham, who had 200 cattle and 150 horses removed from his property after the ASPCA say they were left in poor conditions, paid the fine on Monday, June 20 at 4:00 p.m. However, Graham failed to meet the requirement of fencing on the property, and his lawyers have been given a one week extension (June 27) to do so, RCMP say.
    A Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench ordered that the animals could be returned if Graham upon strict conditions, including conditions to safeguard the health and safety of the animals. These conditions include weekly visits by a vet selected by the ASPCA.
    The animals remain in the care of the ASPCA until the conditions are met.