August 2002
SPCA Continues to Care for Williams Lake Horses as Sudweeks Appeal
As reported in last month's issue, the guardian of a ranch near Williams Lake where 29 starving horses and seven dogs were seized in January 2001 has been fined $4,000 and ordered never to own another animal. On July 19 Mark Sudweeks of Utah was found guilty of two counts of causing or permitting animals to be in distress under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act. This is the first time in BC history that someone has been banned from owning animals for life. The Sudweeks' caretaker, Bryan Tetz of Saskatoon, was also fined $500 and banned from owning animals for two years. The Sudweeks are now appealing the decision with the hearing set for August 23.
Until all the details of the case are resolved, the SPCA continues to shelter and care for the horses at a farm near Williams Lake, while the dogs remain in foster care. The families caring for the dogs "would ultimately love to keep them," says Caddy.
This has been one of the largest cases, in terms of cost and number of animals, in the history of the BC SPCA. Local RCMP, veterinarians, individuals, groups and businesses have also helped by offering support and donating food, housing, foster care, dog walking and dollars.
In addition to the successful criminal case, the BC SPCA also recently won a precedent-setting civil lawsuit against the Sudweeks. In the decision, the B.C. Supreme Court ordered the Sudweeks to reimburse the SPCA for the cost of caring for the seized animals, which then stood at $120,000.
The SPCA is pleased with the outcome of both court cases. "The high penalties imposed sends a strong message that it is entirely unacceptable to cause animal suffering," says Doug Brimacombe, CEO of the BC SPCA. "The penalties and the awarding of care costs set a precedent for other animal cruelty cases."
"It's been a long haul," says Sharon Caddy, Manager of the Williams Lake Branch. "When the animals were first seized they looked like skeletons and skin." The horses and dogs have regained their health since coming under the SPCA's care.---------------------
Isabelle Zehnder, you seem to think quite highly of Mark and Cheryl Sudweeks and their now-defunct program Whitmore Academy by virtue of what is published on your blog.
However, in doing a little research of my own, I found this article which is not discussed nor even mentioned on your Whitmore Academy blog.
Why is that?Don't you think animal abuse and cruelty is as despictable as child abuse and hazing?I also discovered that since this article was published, the Sudweeks LOST their appeal.
