The Saskatchewan Agriculture Department says a horse near Moosomin has tested positive for the contagious equine herpes virus. The animal was part of a cutting horse show in Lloydminster on May 14 and 15. The department advises that any horses that were at the event should be isolated for 28 days.
The virus poses no human health risk, but can cause respiratory failure, miscarriages and brain and spinal cord disease in horses. It can be fatal.
The province's chief veterinary officer is advising owners to monitor their animals carefully. More
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Farmer fined, gets lifetime ban from owning animals
A Manitoba hog producer will never again be allowed to handle livestock after admitting to the largest animal-cruelty case ever discovered in the province.
Martin Albert Joseph Grenier, 39, pleaded guilty Thursday to more than a dozen charges under the province's Animal Care Act for causing the deaths of more than 1,200 pigs last summer.
Provincial court Judge Kelly Moar returned to court Friday and imposed a near-maximum fine of $60,000. It's more than double the previous highest financial penalty ever dished out in Manitoba, court heard. Moar also issued a lifetime prohibition on having care or control of any animals. More
Martin Albert Joseph Grenier, 39, pleaded guilty Thursday to more than a dozen charges under the province's Animal Care Act for causing the deaths of more than 1,200 pigs last summer.
Provincial court Judge Kelly Moar returned to court Friday and imposed a near-maximum fine of $60,000. It's more than double the previous highest financial penalty ever dished out in Manitoba, court heard. Moar also issued a lifetime prohibition on having care or control of any animals. More
No 'epidemic' of equine virus despite rising numbers, vet says
Although the number of confirmed equine herpes virus-1 cases in the province has gone up, Alberta's top veterinarian assures that there is no "propagating epidemic."
"We are not seeing a huge number of new cases every day, which is a good thing," said Dr. Gerald Hauer, chief provincial veterinarian with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. "But will there be new cases in the future? It's difficult to predict."
Since May 1, 14 cases of the virus -a mutated, more virulent form of the more common equine herpes virus -have been reported to Hauer's office.
The virus can be passed from horse to horse through nasal secretions or indirectly from people not washing their hands or sharing equipment, but does not pose a threat to people. More
"We are not seeing a huge number of new cases every day, which is a good thing," said Dr. Gerald Hauer, chief provincial veterinarian with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. "But will there be new cases in the future? It's difficult to predict."
Since May 1, 14 cases of the virus -a mutated, more virulent form of the more common equine herpes virus -have been reported to Hauer's office.
The virus can be passed from horse to horse through nasal secretions or indirectly from people not washing their hands or sharing equipment, but does not pose a threat to people. More
Friday, June 3, 2011
Province shuts down controversial zoo
After 21 years in operation, the doors to controversial animal sanctuary GuZoo will be officially closed after the province denied a permanent permit to the facility Wednesday.
"In their wisdom they have just made me aware we are living in Communist Alberta," he said.
"They say I cannot be open to the public anymore, which is kind of a kick in the teeth, I'd say to all people of Alberta.
"It hurts – you spent a lifetime doing something for people and getting gratification myself and to have their rug pulled out from under you it kind of hurts, but I guess that's supposedly progress." More
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Equine herpes scuttles High River rodeo
Concerns of a highly infectious strain of horse herpes have forced facility operators in High River to cancel a children’s rodeo.
Officials with the High River Agricultural Society announced the decision to close its doors for 21 days, which affects both the Little Britches Rodeo and the 4H Beef Show and Sale.
The society called the move to cease operations for 21 days “a precautionary measure,” in light of a recent North American outbreak of equine herpes virus, or EHV-1.
“This decision has not been made lightly but with the consultation of all stakeholders, board members, our general manager and veterinarians,” the society said in a statement posted on its website.
“We are looking out for the welfare of everyone concerned.” More
Officials with the High River Agricultural Society announced the decision to close its doors for 21 days, which affects both the Little Britches Rodeo and the 4H Beef Show and Sale.
The society called the move to cease operations for 21 days “a precautionary measure,” in light of a recent North American outbreak of equine herpes virus, or EHV-1.
“This decision has not been made lightly but with the consultation of all stakeholders, board members, our general manager and veterinarians,” the society said in a statement posted on its website.
“We are looking out for the welfare of everyone concerned.” More
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Alberta at forefront of prion studies
Advanced Education and Technology Minister Greg Weadick will be lauding the praises of Alberta and its commitment to prion research today at the PRION 2011 research congress in Montreal.
The discovery of a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Alberta in 2003 was devastating for the province's cattle producers.
"When BSE hit we had no prion research happening in Alberta at all," Weadick said in a telephone interview from Montreal.
The province responded on many fronts including making a commitment to prion research. Prions are misfolded proteins that are considered to cause BSE and chronic wasting disease in animals and similar conditions in humans.
The Alberta Prion Research Institute, now part of Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions, was established and $35 million was committed to study prion disease over seven years. New research infrastructure has been created, including the Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Disease at the University of Alberta. More
The discovery of a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Alberta in 2003 was devastating for the province's cattle producers.
"When BSE hit we had no prion research happening in Alberta at all," Weadick said in a telephone interview from Montreal.
The province responded on many fronts including making a commitment to prion research. Prions are misfolded proteins that are considered to cause BSE and chronic wasting disease in animals and similar conditions in humans.
The Alberta Prion Research Institute, now part of Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions, was established and $35 million was committed to study prion disease over seven years. New research infrastructure has been created, including the Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Disease at the University of Alberta. More
Man faces cruelty charges after animals seized at ranch
A Drumheller-area rancher is facing numerous charges following a major investigation into animal cruelty on a sprawling East Coulee property.
John Barry Graham, 54, has been charged under the Criminal Code with causing damage or injury to animals.
He also faces two Animal Protection Act charges of causing animals to be in distress. More
John Barry Graham, 54, has been charged under the Criminal Code with causing damage or injury to animals.
He also faces two Animal Protection Act charges of causing animals to be in distress. More
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