A rare private prosecution trial began in Winnipeg as animal-rights group Animal Justice is suing Carolyle Farms over a December 2022 shipment of 79 horses exported to Japan for slaughter. The charge alleges the farm violated federal legislation by failing to have an adequate contingency plan when a snowstorm forced the shipment’s rest stop to be diverted from Alaska to Seattle, resulting in the horses being in transport without food and water for over 36 hours—exceeding the legal 28-hour limit. Witnesses from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency testified that the amended transport plan was approved and deemed in the horses’ best interest, but Animal Justice argues the exporter is ultimately responsible for animal welfare throughout the process.

This private prosecution is notable as such cases are rare in Canada and this is believed to be the first involving farm animals to reach trial. Animal Justice initiated the case after the inspection agency declined to act on their complaint. If found guilty, Carolyle Farms could face fines in the thousands of dollars. The farm owner maintains the shipment followed best practices with oversight from relevant officials and the transport company. The trial is being heard by provincial court Judge Sandra Chapman.