Social media allegations of animal cruelty on local farm sparks SPCA investigation, owner’s cleared of wrongdoing

PRINCE GEORGE- It’s a brutal video that appears to speak for itself. Crows feeding on carrion take to wing as a truck approaches, revealing domestic pig feeding on a cattle carcass beside a public road, as it’s calf watches on from afar. Broken fences, plastic wrap and refuse strewn about, at first glance it could be a scene from a horror show, and it was enough to have the Hoffman Family sound the alarm on social media.

What you see in the video is the harsh and seldom talked about reality of animal husbandry. Sometimes, animals die, despite the best efforts of their caretakers. According to Debbie Debruin, Wife of Gary Debruin, and co-owner of the farm in question, in winter, it’s not outside the realm of the possible for a hefty cow to tip over and get stuck in the snow, quickly leading to it’s demise. It’s unfortunate and not something any farmer wants to experience, but it’s a fact of life for farm animals, and as soon as the farmer becomes aware, the first thing they do is head out to retrieve the dead animal.

In a phone conversation with Debbie Debruin, she said their farm was visited on Wednesday by an SPCA Animal Protection Officer who was investigating the claims of animal cruelty. The Officer toured the farm with Gary, and found no cause for concern among the herd, or in their level of care According to the Debruin’s no charges we’re laid in the investigation, and no animals were seized.They were given the go ahead to continue business as usual.