Landmark Private Prosecution of Horse Exporter Adjourned in Winnipeg, Canada

The landmark private prosecution of Carolyle Farms, a horse exporter in Winnipeg, Canada, was adjourned in a court hearing. Animal protection organisation Animal Justice initiated the prosecution, alleging breaches of federal law during a horse shipment to Japan in December 2022. The organisation claims that the horses were unlawfully transported for longer than the legal maximum of 28 hours without access to food and water.

The case was postponed after the defense requested more time to review late-disclosed evidence, including information about the prosecution’s expert witness. Private prosecutions are rare in Canada, as they allow individuals or organisations to bring charges when evidence of reasonable and probable grounds exists. The adjournment was granted by the provincial court judge to ensure fairness in the legal process.