Innisfail Auction, Alberta - 11/02/08

Animals’ Angels investigators were present at the Innisfail horse auction. On this day there were approximately 180 horses for sale and of these approximately 65 were purchased for slaughter by two kill buyers in the region. Food and water was not available in the holding pens, which generally held 2 – 6 horses. The handling of the horses at the auction was satisfactory, as were the conditions of the sale ring. One slaughter bound horse appeared to be suffering from severe laminitis in both front feet, greatly limiting mobility and compromising its ability to withstand transport. In particular, the investigators observed the loading of 36 horses onto a single-deck trailer  (DOT 512101) at 6.45pm, and the next day observed this same load arrive at Bouvry Export Calgary at 12.34pm in the same order in which they were loaded. This indicated that these horses had not received food or water during at least a 24 hour period.