The trial of a woman accused of mistreating horses continued today in an Owen Sound courtroom.
The OSPCA laid charges against Lynda Smith after seeing the condition of horses at her farm in Markdale last year.
Today, Smith asked one of the OSPCA agents investigating the case why a veterinarian never called the OSPCA with concerns about animal welfare at her farm.
When the OSPCA began investigating complaints about her farm last year, Smith pointed out that three different vets had visited her farm but none of them made a complaint to the OSPCA.
Smith faces four different charges filed under the OSPCA act; three of them have to do with not providing enough care to her horses and the other is for not following an OSPCA order.
An OSPCA agent testified today that when she visited the farm in March 2013, she saw emaciated horses and was concerned about a lack of food on the property. The OSPCA agent said she had also received complaints about horses dying on the property.
Smith is representing herself at this trial and during cross examination asked the OSPCA agent if she knew the ages of the horses. Smith pointed out the horses that died were between 28 and 31 years of age.
The trial continues tomorrow. Two veterinarians who visited Smith’s farm are expected to be called as witnesses.
