RCMP seize 82 animals from home in Southern Alberta
Posted Apr 25, 2024 1:13 pm.
Last Updated Apr 25, 2024 1:54 pm.
The Alberta RCMP and SPCA have recovered and seized 82 animals in connection to a police investigation in Mountain View County.
The RCMP says on Apr. 22, while conducting a property crime investigation, members of the Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (SAD CRU) saw a white GMC Sierra driving with an obstructed licence plate.
A traffic stop was conducted, and Mounties learned the truck had been stolen from Crossfield. They also were able to determine the flat deck trail it was towing was stolen from Calgary, and a Caterpillar skid steer was stolen from Okotoks.
Due to the arrest, officers of SAD CRU along with Didsbury RCMP, Airdrie RCMP, and RCMP Auto Theft Unit executed a search warrant on the suspect’s property on Apr. 23.
During the search, officers were able to find and seize the following items:
- Six stolen trucks, including a Blazer, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado, and Dodge Ram
- Four utility trailers
- A Polaris ATV
- A Raptor Keystone RV
- Two flat deck trailers
- Two shotguns
- A bolt action rifle
- Two .22 calibre rifles
- Thousands of rounds of ammunition.
- Six industrial heaters
- A red Norco Sight vlt 12 speed Mountain Bike (serial number removed and RCMP are still trying to locate owners)
The RCMP also called in the Alberta SPCA for assistance during the search, as officer found 82 animals on the property. They included:
- 56 dogs
- 10 sheep
- 9 llamas
- 4 chickens
- 3 geese
The SPCA says all the animals are being medically assessed at caretaking facilities.
“Our team, and the animal welfare community as a whole, is facing unprecedented pressure this spring,” said Alberta SPCA Executive Director, Leanne Niblock.
She says the organization has seized around 250 animals from four investigations since the beginning of March.
“Rising costs of living, lingering impacts of the pandemic, and climate change leading to drought and wildfire just exacerbate the already desperate
situation. These large rescues add enormously to the pressure, and to be blunt, to our expenses.”
Following the traffic stop, the RCMP says it took 43-year-old Clayton Whaling into custody, with the man being charged with three counts of possession of property obtained by a crime over $5,000.
He is expected to appear in court in Airdrie on May 23.
As a result of the property search, the RCMP also charged 44-year-old Michael McGill of Mountian View County with possession of property obtained by a crime over $5,000, failing to comply with a release order, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
He was remanded for Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie on Apr. 25.
The SPCA adds it enforce the Animal Protection Act in all areas of Alberta outside Calgary and Edmonton and says additional charges are being considered.
