Napanee’s Ryan Leduc was fined $800 for obstructing an OMAFRA inspector late last year.
An Ontario court bulletin released July 23 indicates Leduc, who owns Count Your Blessings Farm, pled guilty to the offense in April of this year.
On Dec. 7, 2023, an auction took place at the Ontario Livestock Exchange, in Waterloo Region. Leduc, a cattle trucker, unloaded cattle for sale at the auction when an inspector with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness observed what appeared to be a lame animal amongst them. The inspector segregated the animal in accordance with regulations so that a more detailed examination could be completed by a veterinarian.
According to the court bulletin, Leduc attempted to recover the animal and load it back into the cattle trailer, removing its identification tag and obstructing the inspector.
An agriculture investigator with the ministry investigated the incident and subsequently laid charges against Leduc.
Leduc appeared before Justice Walter Rojek, on April 17 and pled guilty.
Every person who contravenes any of the provisions of the Livestock Community Sales Act or the regulations is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable for a first offence to a fine of not more than $2,000 and for a second or subsequent offence to a fine of not more than $5,000.