Horses bought by family of alleged abuser

Animal lovers in Swan River, Man., worry that close to a dozen horses could be back in the hands of the man charged with abusing them.

In December, RCMP seized 27 dogs, two donkeys and dozens of horses from Walter Goba's farm, alleging they were severely neglected.

On Monday, 19 horses and two donkeys were auctioned off by the Rural Municipality of Swan River. Bonnie Riddell, director of Papa's Ranch Equine Rescue Inc., said family and friends of Goba were there and bought 11 of the horses.

"The atmosphere in the auction mart itself, I guess I would describe it as somewhat tense. I mean, people were aware that Carla Goba was there together with a friend of Walter Goba's and they were actively bidding on the horses," she said.

Goba, 68, also showed up but was handcuffed and escorted out by the RCMP for breaching the no-contact condition of his court orders.

"I have no reason to believe at any point that these animals are safe in the hands of the Goba family at all," said Riddell, who bought six of the horses up for auction.

The municipality is looking into any legal concerns with the purchase of the horses by Goba's family, but the court order only restrcits Goba from being in contact with the animals.

Goba made his first court appearance on more than 40 animal-cruelty charges in January. His next court appearance is set for Feb. 16.

Most of the dogs that were seized are being cared for in foster homes and recovering well, according to Jeff Blythe, the animal control officer in Swan River.

Just one older dog had to be destroyed. The others should be adoptable soon.