Michael Janke Enters Guilty Plea For Humane Transport Violations

Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 8, 2011: On October 4, 2010, in Manitoba Provincial Court, Mr. Michael Janke pled guilty to two counts of violating the Health of Animals Regulations. The first count violated Section 138 (2)(a) and the second count violated Section 143 (1)(e) of the Health of Animals Regulations.

The Honourable Judge Heinrichs accepted a jointly recommended sentence of a $1,000 fine for the first count and a $500 fine for the second count. Both fines were payable within 30 days.

Section 138 (2) of the Health of Animals Regulations states:

Subject to subsection (3), no person shall load or cause to be loaded on any railway car, motor vehicle, aircraft or vessel and no one shall transport or cause to be transported an animal:

(a) that by reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other cause cannot be transported without undue suffering during the expected journey.

Section 143 (1) of the Health of Animals Regulations states:

No person shall transport or cause to be transported any animal in a railway car, motor vehicle, aircraft, vessel, crate or container if injury or undue suffering is likely to be caused to the animal by reason of:

(e) inadequate ventilation.

A Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) investigation determined that Mr. Janke carried isowean piglets that were injured, suffering and unfit for transportation and did so in an inadequately ventilated vehicle. During the trip, Mr. Janke's motor vehicle slid into a ditch causing injuries to some of the animals. While in the ditch, Mr. Janke did not make arrangements to ensure adequate ventilation, and then continued to transport injured animals.

The CFIA enforces federal legislation including the Health of Animals Act and its Regulations. The CFIA safeguards food, animals and plants which enhances the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment and economy, and access to international markets.

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