The operator of an embattled local horse rescue that has been the subject of a number of public complaints now faces 13 charges under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.
Stephanie Redlick, who operates Above The Stars Equine Rescue, was charged on June 5 and 6 with seven counts of failing to meet standards of care, three counts of causing distress and three counts of permitting distress, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
They said it would be inappropriate for the ministry to provide further comment as the matter is before the courts.
Animal Welfare Services previously confirmed they attended Redlick’s property at 248 Line 6 N., in Oro-Medonte, on Feb. 6 as part of an investigation that resulted in a number of non-compliance orders.
Documents show AWS seized 16 of Redlick’s horses later that month after they had been moved to another property.
Corey Warren is the stable manager at a Port Perry farm from which the horses were seized on Feb. 20. He said AWS arrived with a veterinarian and a warrant.
Warren told BradfordToday many of the horses looked as though they had never received basic care for their teeth or hooves, with five that were “in dire need of medical attention.”
A Feb. 24 report from AWS notes the horses were suffering from infected wounds, lameness, parasites, malnourishment, poor hygiene and untreated medical conditions.
“It was a terrible sight to be honest,” Warren said.
Warren said one of the horses — a four-year-old thoroughbred mare named Midnight — was in such bad shape, he wasn’t certain if she would survive. A Feb. 12 report from AWS noted she was suffering from very thin body condition, nasal discharge from both nostrils, large scabs and swelling of the left hind.
“I thought she was going to die here,” he said.
Less than one month after AWS seized the horses, a March 11 notice confirmed the horse had been euthanized on the advice of a veterinarian.
Redlick has sought donations for Above the Stars, which she previously claimed was a charity. However, neither the charity's name nor its listed registration number return any results in Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) online database of qualified charities/donees nor Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s business registries.
Nina Ioussoupova, a representative of the CRA, said that according to their records Above the Stars is not currently — nor has it previously been — registered as a charity, and only Canadian registered charities and/or qualified donees can issue official donation receipts that qualify for charitable tax credits.
Since that was reported by BradfordToday, Redlick’s website no longer includes claims of being a “charity organization” that is “government approved,” and no longer lists any registration number either.
None of the allegations against Redlick have been tested in court, and she is considered innocent until proven guilty.
