Following a raid on a Grand Forks horse ranch last Demember and a subsequent investigation, SPCA officers have recommended charges to Nelson Crown Counsel.
On Dec. 1, 2013, officers from several SPCA branches executed a search warrant on a ranch believed to belong to Kevin LaFond. As a result, 10 horses were removed, and two were destroyed.
In March of this year, SPCA investigators concluded their investigation and submitted the charges.
“Crown reviews them and we’re still waiting to hear back,” said Shawn Eckles, chief animal protection officer. “Whether Crown proceeds is up to them. Crown reviews charges no matter where they come from. They determine two things: whether there is a substantial likelihood of conviction and whether or not it’s in the public’s interest.”
A spokesperson from Nelson Crown Counsel confirmed that they had received the charges are currently reviewing them.