Warning: Some of the images in this story are disturbing. Reader discretion is strongly advised. A group of animal lovers in Thessalon, Ont., was recently tipped off about a serious case of animal neglect — and was devastated by what they discovered. In addition to several animals struggling to survive, they say they found hundreds of dead animals, some of them in freezers. All of the surviving animals from homes in Little Rapids and Sault Ste. Marie have now been rescued, including a mini-horse named ‘Toad’ and a Great Pyrenees dog named ‘Luv’ who have been adopted by two of their rescuers. The two animals, along with four cats, were recently rescued by Colleen Coulter and her daughter, Lacey Yule, from a residence in Little Rapids. “It’s nice to see them in their own element, where they can be happy and not like abandoned or anything like that,” Yule said. In total, activists rescued seven horses, five dogs, 11 cats, five foxes, three chickens, a rabbit and a goose in late November, with permission from the property owner. The group, which now goes by the name North Shore Animal Rescue, also visited a Sault property owned by the same person, whom CTV News is not naming. There, they say they discovered exotic birds, a bald eagle and a wolf that were all malnourished, adding that some of those animals have died. “To see the atrocities that, you know, happened to these animals is just devastating,” Coulter said. Another member of the group, Raven Millar, said the conditions they discovered were horrific. Millar owns ‘The Little Pet Shop’ in Thessalon. She said a woman told her that there was a house in Little Rapids that had dozens of animals that desperately needed help. She wasn’t prepared for what they found. “It was more than just some animals that had not been fed,” Millar said. “It was severe neglect. Animals were starving. No food and water in sight. The conditions were horrendous for any animal to be living in.” Worse still was the discovery of hundreds of dead and decomposing animals. Based on discussions with the owner, the group said they believe the animals they rescued wouldn’t be alive today if they hadn’t intervened. “We found, on the second day we were there, freezers full of deceased animals, containers full of deceased animals, outbuildings full of deceased animals,” Coulter said. Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources enforces punishment for harming wild animals. A spokesperson told CTV News in a statement that “the ministry is aware of the situation and is working with the appropriate agencies to determine next steps.” Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services is overseen by the Ministry of the Solicitor General. Their officials confirmed that an investigation into this matter is taking place, but would not provide details. Members of North Shore Animal Rescue said they want justice for the animals. “If it (were) humans, it would be a huge case,” Millar said. “So animals should be no different. I would like them to never be able to own animals again, and just for it to be known that they have to live with this every day. Harsher penalties would always be wonderful, but you just hope that they will be held accountable in some way.” Despite the mental scars left after seeing so much death, the animal rescuers said they are focusing on the positives -- the furry friends that now have better lives. “Even though you have seen some of those atrocities, to know that the animals that you saved are doing great,” said Millar. “With just love and adequate groceries, that they are thriving now and that they will never have to face that again.”
