The BCSPCA continue to follow up on the case involving what is believed to be the Kevin La Fond horse ranch near Grand Forks.The provincial organization seized eight horses and euthanized two others during a raid on the property in early December.“We’re still continuing to gather evidence,” said Shawn Eccles, manager of cruelty investigations for the BCSPCA. “If we have enough evidence to warrant a charge we’ll make recommendation to Crown.”Eccles said that BCSPCA special constable have the ability to ask for a search warrant and remove evidence and put together a case.“If we believe there’s enough evidence to warrant a charge, we’ll put together a report and send it to Crown Council,” he said. “They are the ones who determine whether to proceed with a charge. In this particular case, because we’re dealing with animals we’d be looking at a charge under the criminal code of Canada or the prevention of cruelty to animals act.”Eccles said the BCSPCA has been back to the ranch but he is unable to comment on what they’ve found.“We returned to the property to see if those animals have been cared for,” he said. ‘At the same time, we are looking if there is an increase in the number of animals. Depending on what we find, we could return with a search warrant as well.”Eccles said that they have up to three years to complete the case but they try to normally finish within three to four months.“It’s just a matter of the resources we have in front of us,” he said. “We have 27 constables and we had over 7,000 calls last year.”

Grand Forks Gazette