Crown counsel has approved multiple charges of animal cruelty against a Vernon animal owner.

Carla Christman is charged under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Criminal Code after BC SPCA constables acting on a search warrant seized 28 thin and emaciated horses languishing with untreated injuries on her property. Investigators also discovered 39 terrier mix dogs and puppies and four cats inside an unventilated area so thick with the stench of ammonia and feces that officers gagged upon entry.

In addition, Christman was charged with obstruction and assault on a peace officer.

“These animals were clearly in distress and the accused made little to no attempt over the course of several months to relieve their suffering,” said Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for the BC SPCA. “We issued a number of orders to improve their care, and instead the animals continued to decline.”

The dogs and puppies had overgrown nails and were in dire need of grooming. BC SPCA officers also seized one pig and one llama from the property. The pig was thin and sunburned, while the llama’s coat was badly overgrown and it had barbed wire stuck to its hind end.

For more information and photos, read our full press release.

To help our life-saving Cruelty Investigations Department, please support the BC SPCA Heroes Fund for Animal Protection.