Tawni Frank, George Smith fail to appear in court on animal cruelty charges
A P.E.I court case involving charges of animal cruelty against a couple has run into another delay.
Last November and December, provincial agriculture officials seized a herd of horses from the eastern P.E.I. property of Tawni Frank and George Smith.
They were charged with two counts each under the federal Criminal Code of causing pain or injury to an animal and two counts each under the province's Animal Health and Protection Act of causing distress.
The couple did not attend a scheduled appearance Thursday in Georgetown provincial court. Their lawyer told court they are now living in the United States.
The couple has not attended any of their scheduled court dates.
The judge adjourned the case to next Thursday, Oct. 15.
Twenty-six of the animals seized last year were sold through a government auction in August.
Frank and Brown are fighting the government's actions and have filed for a P.E.I. Supreme Court judicial review of the legality of the seizure.
Under the Animal Health and Protection Act the owners of seized animals are liable for the cost of the seizure and subsequent veterinary care and housing. The Department of Agriculture has submitted documents to the P.E.I. Supreme Court stating the seizure and treatment of the animals cost nearly $100,000.
