Eight horses and a donkey who had reportedly not been receiving sufficient care for nearly a year, located on founder and director of Eventing Canada(!) Arthur Tateishi’s farm in Mono Township, Ontario, have been removed by local animal welfare officials who attended the property and seized the animals on Jan. 25.
Neighbours concerned about the lack of feed and water had brought in hay at their own expense for months and repeated complaints were filed to local animal welfare agencies. The horses broke out of their field on January 23rd and onto a busy local highway. Police were alerted and while attending the property arrested Tateishi, 70, on an outstanding warrant. He had been charged following a pair of DUIs, racing, and driving under suspension from May 28 and June 18, 2021 incidents.
HorseSport reached out to the Ministry of the Solicitor General for information regarding the location and status of the animals, why it took so long to get them help through official channels, and whether charges would be laid. Brent Ross, spokesperson for SolGen, replied, “The ministry can confirm that Animal Welfare Services removed eight horses, seven chickens and a donkey from a property in Mono. The animals have been placed in appropriate sheltering facilities. Given the ongoing investigation into this matter, it would not be appropriate to provide further comment.”
Tateishi has been a devout supporter of eventing for decades, and as chair of Eventing Canada(!), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting athletes and organizers in the sport of eventing in Canada, hosted fundraisers and clinics with top international riders at his Pommelé Acres in Tottenham.
The Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act came into force on January 1, 2020, replacing the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The PAWS Act implements a provincially-funded animal welfare enforcement model, designed to protect animals from abuse and neglect, and creates uniformity across the province. The new enforcement system uses animal welfare inspectors employed by the province.
If you witness an animal being neglected or in distress, call 1-833-9-ANIMAL. This includes animals that are injured, in pain, sick, suffering or abused; or lack proper care, water, food or shelter. Violating these laws can result in jail sentences of up to two years; fines of up to $130,000 (first offence) or up to $500,000 (corporations); a lifetime ban on animal ownership, and other penalties.
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