Order seizing animals from Barefoot Ranch quashed by judge

An order that allowed the seizure of nearly 150 animals from a Manitoba horse rescue and sanctuary has been quashed. Michelle Gerwing reports.

An order that led to 140 animals being confiscated from a horse rescue and sanctuary near Teulon, Man. last summer has been overturned.

Court of King’s Bench Justice Herbert Rempel quashed the order on Friday.

It was originally issued June 7, 2024, leading to the seizure of all the animals on Barefoot Ranch, with the exception of two dogs and two cats. It also limited Sherri Anderson, the ranch’s founder and president, from owning any more animals for three years.

Rempel found that Anderson was not given enough notice or the chance to appeal the order before the animals were taken away by Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Office (CVO).

In his decision, Rempel said prior to the seizure, there had been repeated warnings and recommendations issued to Anderson. She had been asked by the CVO to scale back the number of animals she had so they could be cared for properly.

“However, this does not mean that the CVO can obtain an order without allowing Ms. Anderson any form of a hearing or right of appeal,” the decision reads.

CTV News was there when dozens of animals were removed from Barefoot Ranch in early June 2024.

According to court documents, the seizure included 80 equine (horses, mules, ponies or donkeys), five cattle, a llama, alpaca, three sheep, one goat, 23 chickens, two geese, a turkey, 15 ducks, six rabbits and two potbellied pigs.

“I am alive to the fact that there was strong evidence before me that the animals in Ms. Anderson’s care were in distress and in need of a high level of care that she had difficulty meeting given her limited budget and the availability of volunteers,” Rempel wrote.

“Returning all of the surviving animals seized by virtue of the Order in one fell swoop may create further stress or risk to them.”

Rempel is giving the CVO 60 days to reapply for a restriction order and, this time, give Anderson notice and the opportunity to be heard.

Anderson told CTV News she wants to wait to comment until the Crown responds.

“We are hoping to work with the CVO to reach an agreement so we can welcome the animals home and not have to keep them in limbo for another 60 days,” reads a post on The Barefoot Ranch: Manitoba Horse Rescue and Sanctuary Facebook page.

A provincial spokesperson said the provincial veterinarian for animal welfare is reviewing the judge’s decision with legal counsel and will not be commenting at this time.

The full decision can be read online.