Langley veterinarians charged in horse neglect case

April 22, 2009. For immediate release.

Langley veterinarians Mark Marohn and Carol Schoyen-Marohn have each been charged with two counts of animal cruelty after the BC SPCA discovered six emaciated and badly neglected horses in their care. The couple faces charges under both the Criminal Code of Canada and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. They make their first court appearance in Surrey on April 24.

BC SPCA cruelty investigators were called to the 2000-block of 208th Avenue in December 2008, to find a seven-year-old gelding being used to pull the couple's car from a ditch. The young horse, who was emaciated, exhausted and unable to stand, was in critical distress and had to be humanely euthanized at the scene.

"It was terribly upsetting for all the investigators involved," said SPCA senior animal protection officer Eileen Drever. "We thought he might have a chance when he tried to stand a couple of times but he just couldn't muster the strength."

The owners had tethered the horse to their sedan, which had gone off the road, and were trying to get him to pull the vehicle out of the ditch when the animal went down.

That same day BC SPCA cruelty investigators discovered an additional five horses on the owners' property and took them into care. The horses were also emaciated, and despite round-the-clock care and veterinary treatment one of the rescued horses died four days later.

The surviving four horses responded well to treatment and have been restored to health after four months in SPCA care. The horses are currently in foster care and will be up for adoption next week. Full details about the adoption process and where the horses can be viewed will be distributed next week and will be available on the BC SPCA website (spca.bc.ca).

If convicted Mark Marohn and Carol Schoyen-Marohn face a maximum fine of $5,000, up to five years in jail and a prohibition on owning animals.

Bringing animal abusers to justice is costly. Last year alone, the non-profit BC SPCA spent more than $1.8 million investigating 4,600 complaints, caring for animals in distress and preparing charges for Crown counsel. To help the BC SPCA fight animal cruelty, visit spca.bc.ca.

For more information:

Eileen Drever, senior animal protection officer, BC SPCA, 604-709-4670;

Lorie Chortyk, general manager, community relations, BC SPCA, 604-647-1316, 604-830-7179.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.