A 23-year-old Ontario woman has been charged under the provincial welfare services act after a graphic video of a horse being dragged surfaced online.
One video shows the horse being pulled with ropes as its back hooves drag along a road.
A second video shows a woman pointing to blood on the ground before speaking to the horse using an offensive term and motioning the camera to the horse's legs while saying, “like literally squirting blood, like her hoof was here, and it was spurting out over there”.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General said animal welfare services began an investigation and has charged Solstice Pecile with "causing distress to an animal."
“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen in the industry,” said equestrian Jamie Lorentz.
After viewing the video, Lorentz said she is concerned about animal welfare and has been trying to raise awareness with authorities.
The first image shows a video of a horse being dragged by a rope (Facebook). The second is of Solstice Pecile, a 23-year-old woman charged under the provincial welfare services act (Wishing Stone Farm). “I think it’s a big step. It’s showing our voices are being heard and occurrences like this can’t be swept under the rug,” she said.
Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police say an investigation is ongoing into a possible animal cruelty incident, which began on Nov. 3, in conjunction with animal welfare services.
Police said their investigation started after receiving information regarding a video that had been posted online involving a horse.
The ministry said Pecile is from the Township of Cavan Monaghan, which is located southwest of Peterborough, Ont.
Within that area, two sources have confirmed Pecile worked at Wishing Stone Farm. According to its website, the farm offers a range of services including horse boarding and training.
CTV News Toronto attempted to track down Pecile on the phone and at the farm. However, no one answered the door at the farm on Friday or has returned calls since.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General said it expects Pecile to appear at a provincial offences court date in January.
