Marineland Canada Inc. has been charged with 11 counts of animal cruelty involving elk and deer.
The Ontario SPCA launched an investigation on November 25 in response to concerns about the animals living at Marineland and five counts of animal cruelty were charged.
An additional six counts were served to Marineland on Tuesday as a result of the investigation.
According to Ontario SPCA, the charges against Marineland from Tuesday are as follows:
- One count for permitting Elk to be in distress
- One count of failing to provide prescribed standards of car for Elk
- One count of permitting Red Deer to be in distress
- One count of failing to provide prescribed standards of care for Red Deer
- One count of permitting Fallow Deer to be in distress
- One count of failing to provide prescribed standards of care for Fallow Deer
No animals were removed. The Ontario SPCA can only take an animal if/when the following have occurred:
- An animal is in need of immediate attention from pain. Ontario SPCA officers say the animals were not in immediate distress.
- A veterinarian recommends that the animal be removed to ensure it gets the care it needs.
- An Ontario SPCA Act Orders have been issued but were not met.
"We try to educate wherever possible, but we will enforce the law when it's necessary," says Senior Inspector for the Ontario SPCA Steve Toy. "We want to reassure the public that the Society will continue to make sure these animals are getting the care they require."
7 Eyewitness News has reached out to Marineland for comment.
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