1 horse dead, several injured at Welland, Ont., farm in 'disturbing' animal cruelty, police say

One horse is dead and several others injured in Welland, Ont., in what Niagara regional police are calling a "disturbing act of animal cruelty."

Staff at a boarding farm found several horses with injuries "consistent with cuts and stab wounds" on Thursday morning, police said in a release Friday.

They said that of the eight horses, one was found dead at the scene, another was moved to an emergency veterinary clinic in Guelph, Ont., and the others were treated at the farm. 

CBC News has confirmed the farm is Eagle Wing Ranch at 426 Buchner Rd. The ranch's website says it's a "family-owned and operated hunter/jumper facility."

Const. Richard Hingley told CBC News that the horses were at the ranch for "several reasons," including for riding and shows. Other horses were pets "to other people who don't have farms," he said.

Amanda Janssen, who's with the ranch, said they were "reeling" and "grieving," and asked for privacy.

In a Facebook post, Janssen said there were "no words to describe the shock and devastation our barn staff and family felt as yesterday unfolded."

"It felt like a terrible dream you were begging to wake up from. The grief is heavy as we mourn the loss of a very special horse and the injuries of 7 others," Janssen's post said.

Veterinarian called to the ranch

Matt Nugent, a veterinarian with Nugent Veterinary Services, was at the ranch on Thursday.

He told CBC News all the horses had a similar injury in the same spot — the left side of the neck "where the jugular would be."

Nugent said he was summoned to the scene at around 7 a.m. on Thursday. Initially, the call was only for the deceased horse, but while with the ranch owners, more and more animals were found injured.

Hingley said he had never seen any "personal attack" on horses. He also spoke about the magnitude of what was discovered at the ranch, noting "horses are not pets to their owners — they're family members."

"When there is a tragic loss to a horse, it's extremely devastating to the individuals."

Hingley said the ranch owners "have no idea" who could have targeted the ranch or horses. 

"We have to be open to everything, whether someone is upset with the ranch, whether someone is upset with a particular horse owner or all avenues in between there." 

Police search for evidence

Niagara regional police said the Forensic Services Unit went to the ranch and "conducted a thorough examination for evidence." As their investigation continues, police are also asking other jurisdictions in the area if they've had similar reports.

Hingley said what happened at the ranch occurred between 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday and 6 a.m. on Thursday.

"What we are appealing for right now is for anyone that may have been in the area driving at that time to go back, check their dash-cam footage if they have some," he said.

Police urge anyone with information to contact them at 905-688-4111 (option 3, extension 1009487) or to provide an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers.