NEWMARKET, Ont. - Twenty-eight animals, including 12 wolves and three coyotes, were removed from an animal facility northwest of London due to filthy living conditions, the Ontario SPCA said Friday.
It's the second time animal control officials have had to remove animals from the Kerwood facility.
About 15 SPCA investigators were called in Friday to remove the animals, which also included three wolf-dog hybrids, three raccoons, six shepherd-type dogs and a single red-tailed fox.
SPCA officials started investigating Thursday after receiving reports of animals in distress at the facility.
Three dogs in filthy pens and without food and water were found inside the house, while two ponies were discovered in a barn -- one of which had a severe hoof ailment, the SPCA said.
"The foot was bent back and that was how it was walking,'' SPCA senior inspector Darren Grandel said Friday.
"And that was so bad, a veterinarian had to euthanize it.''
The other pony -- a brown mare also in poor health -- was sent to a boarding facility.
A veterinarian called in by the SPCA to examine some of the animals noticed they were seriously under weight and ordered they be removed due to filthy living conditions.
Officials are continuing to investigate the situation and will evaluate all the evidence before it decides whether to lay charges against the owner of the facility, who agreed to surrender the animals to the SPCA, Grandel said.
The 47-year-old owner is already facing 11 counts of animal cruelty following a similar incident last November.
The SPCA said it removed 18 animals, including a lion, eight dogs, six cats, two cockatoos and one turtle from the property at that time.
The charges against the owner include failing to provide suitable and adequate care and failing to provide medical attention.
Vivian Singer is scheduled to appear in a London court on May 31.
