Animal cruelty charges laid against farmer

A 68-year-old Manitobaman has been charged with 44 counts of animal cruelty.

The charges relate to 27 dogs, two donkeys and 15 horses found to be unhealthy andneglected on a farm in the Rural Municipality of Swan River.

RCMP and animal-welfare officials went to the farm and seized the animals on Dec. 1.

The man was arrested soon after, but charges weren't laid until the investigation had been completed.

A local animal-welfare worker previously told CBC Newsthat about 17 dogs were living in a barn, and some had skin growing over the chains they were restrained with.

Debbie Peterson said many of the dogs appeared to have never seen the light of day and shook with fear when approached.

The horses and donkeys were emaciated and had no feed nor water, she added.

Theman is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Swan River on Jan. 19, 2011.