'We didn't expect him to survive': Alberta SPCA rescues emaciated horse
Marvin the horse is half the size he should be at his age and could barely walk when he was rescued in July by the Alberta SPCA, something the organization said could have been avoided.
“Marvin is the skinniest horse I’ve ever seen,” said Alberta SPCA Peace Officer Ryan Butterwick.
When he was found on a property in Red Deer County, he was wrapped in metal wire trying to get to the grass growing over the fence from the dirt paddock he was being kept in. The SPCA said the level of malnourishment in the yearling was due to at least six months with little to no food.
“He was lifeless. He had no movement to him at all,” Butterwick said. “He was just lying there.”
The SPCA said Marvin’s situation is not unique, and his case is just one example of the kind of easily preventable neglect seen daily by officers in Alberta, with animals left to suffer because owners don’t act sooner.
Despite the number of complaints being made staying constant, they are seeing higher levels of neglect and more animals involved, the SPCA said, with costs to rehabilitate and rehome animals falling entirely on the not-for-profit organization.
Marvin is a yearling, but looks much smaller due to starvation. (Alberta SPCA)
The organization said difficult economic factors, like high feed prices, are not an excuse to allow animals to go uncared for – owners are always responsible to ensure their animals are healthy and comfortable.
It’s important for animal owners to plan ahead and act quickly if they do find themselves unable to provide adequate care, the SPCA said. The organization adds that owners should never keep more animals than can be properly looked after.
The SPCA said Marvin’s owners allowed their horses to continue breeding despite struggling to take care of their existing animals.
“I didn’t expect him to survive, but Marvin has a strong will to live so we’re giving him every chance to do that,” Butterwick said.
Marvin is still recovering from his severe malnourishment and he will still need more time before he can be rehomed, but he is getting better. Though, it’s unclear if he will ever grow to his full size.
To prevent more animals from ending up in little Marvin's situation, the SPCA is reminding Alberta animal owners to act responsibly, stock up on feed for the winter and reduce the number of animals in their care when needed.
With files from Nav Sangha.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.