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CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.
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Case #4430 Rating: 3.2 out of 5
Wednesday, Jan 5, 2005
Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
» Peter Dervenis
» Janey Dervenis
» Joseph Chang - Alleged
» Mee-Young Chung - Alleged
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
The Ontario SPCA is investigating the abandonment and neglect of 33 thoroughbred horses at a Bramalea-area farm.
The investigation began on January 5 when the Ontario SPCA received a call from a member of the public concerned about the condition and care of the horses. Doug Rombough, Ontario SPCA Livestock Inspector, responded immediately and found 33 horses without access to food or water. One of the horses, an emaciated mare about 16 years old, was found dead, lying in the paddock. Another adult mare, sadly, had to be euthanzied soon after investigators arrived. A veterinarian determined that the horse's condition was very poor and that she had no chance for a full recovery. The 31 remaining horses were in a fragile condition. Several developed colic after being reintroduced to feed and water and required veterinary treatment. All will require time and ongoing veterinary care to recover from malnutrition, but the Society is hopeful for their recovery.
"There was absolutely no need for this to happen," says Doug Rombough, Ontario SPCA lead investigator of the case. "Although some hay was stockpiled in the barn, none of it was made available to the horses." The horses were also without water. About half of the horses were kept in box stalls in the barn and the other half were in a number of outdoor paddocks.
The horses remained on the property for about two weeks following the start of the investigation so that their health could be stabilized with proper feeding and veterinary care. During this time a number of groups assisted the Ontario SPCA with the care of the neglected animals. Caledon Fire Department and officers from the Ontario Provincial Police volunteered their services and equipment to water the horses and haul hay. Then, beginning on January 9 a group of grooms and farriers from Woodbine Racetrack came forth and donated their time and expertise to aid the recovery of the neglected horses.
Feed, bedding and water were brought to the farm, a number of blankets were donated to help keep the horses warm and the volunteers began cleaning the stalls and caring for the animals. "This is a huge undertaking," say Rombough. "The Society has limited financial and human resources available to house and care for this number of horses at one time, so we are very grateful to those that came forward to offer assistance."
The Ontario SPCA is especially appreciative of the assistance provided by LongRun Thoroughbred Adoption Society. LongRun's primary purpose is to provide an alternative for thoroughbreds that are no longer able to compete and to find these horses adoptive homes. Their contacts, direct assistance and coordination of volunteer efforts have made the process much easier both for the Ontario SPCA and the horses.
On January 21 and 24, the 31 horses were moved to a number of foster farms to carry out their recovery, which is expected to take six months to a year.
The investigation is ongoing and charges are expected
Case Updates
Peter and Janey Dervenis of Scarborough, pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice, Brampton on September 14 to one count under the Criminal Code of Canada of failing to provide suitable and adequate care for horses.
The horses were the property of Joseph Chang and Mee-Yung (aka Lee-Anne) Chung, who had relocated to Hong Kong. Peter Dervenis, and his wife Janey Dervenis, sister of Chung, had assumed responsibility for the horses.
The investigation began on January 5, 2005 when the Ontario SPCA received a call from a member of the public concerned about the condition and care of the horses on a thoroughbred farm located north of Brampton. Doug Rombough, Ontario SPCA Livestock Inspector, responded immediately and found 33 horses without access to food or water. One of the horses, an emaciated mare about 16 years old, was found dead, lying in the paddock. Another adult mare, trapped in a fence, had to be euthanized by a veterinarian that afternoon after attempts to save the horse failed. The 31 remaining horses were in a fragile condition. Several developed colic after being reintroduced to feed and water and required veterinary treatment. All required ongoing veterinary care to recover from malnutrition.
The horses remained on the property for about two weeks following the start of the investigation so that their health could be stabilized with proper feeding and veterinary care. During this time, a number of groups assisted the Ontario SPCA with the care of the neglected animals.
The Caledon Fire Department and officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) volunteered their services and equipment to water the horses and haul hay. A group of grooms and farriers from Woodbine Racetrack donated their time and expertise. Longrun Thoroughbred Retirement Society coordinated the relief effort, enabling the Ontario SPCA to concentrate on the investigation. The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society and its staff provided information regarding the management and ownership of the farm and the horses. Additionally, feed and bedding were donated by feed companies and tack stores to help nourish the horses and keep them warm.
"With the Society's limited financial and human resources available to house and care for this number of horses at one time, we are deeply thankful to all those that came forward to offer their support," says Rombough, lead investigator of the case. "We'd also like to thank the entire racing community for their tremendous response, including the Ontario Racing Commission for their assistance and for laying charges against Chang and Chung."
Peter and Janey Dervenis were sentenced to 240 hours of community service. In addition, they are to be on probation for two years. One of the conditions of the probation is that neither is to have custody or control of any animal or bird. Following their probation, a two year prohibition against owning any animal or bird will take effect.
Charges have been laid by the OPP against the owners of the horses, Joseph Chang and Mee-Yung Chung, and arrest warrants have been issued should they return to Canada.
Happily, the surviving horses have all recovered and found new homes. |
Source: OSPCA - Sept 22, 2006
Update posted on Nov 3, 2006 - 3:33PM |
Criminal charges have been laid following a joint investigation by the Ontario SPCA, the Caledon OPP and the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) Investigative Unit of 33 neglected and abandoned horses found at a Bramalea farm in January. Peter Dervenis, 48, and Janey Dervenis, 43, of Scarborough, Ontario, and Joseph Chang, 41, and Mee-Young Chung of no fixed address, have been charged on 11 counts under the Criminal Code of Canada relating to failure to provide suitable and adequate food, failure to provide suitable and adequate water, failure to provide suitable and adequate care and causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
The investigation began on January 5 when the Ontario SPCA received a call from a member of the public concerned about the condition and care of the horses. Doug Rombough, Ontario SPCA Livestock Inspector, responded immediately and found 33 horses without access to food or water. One of the horses, an emaciated mare about 16 years old, was found dead, lying in the paddock. Another adult mare had to be euthanzied soon after investigators arrived. A veterinarian determined that the horse's condition was very poor and that she had no chance for a full recovery. The 31 remaining horses were in a fragile condition. Several developed colic after being reintroduced to feed and water and required veterinary treatment.
The Ontario SPCA is appealing for help in covering the costs incurred to treat and care for the horses. Twenty-eight of the horses have since been adopted, while three remain with foster families and have yet to find permanent homes. "Medical treatment, care and rehabilitation for these horses has reached $15,000 and climbing," says Rombough. "Support from the local community has been wonderful, but we have a long way to go to ensure we can keep providing the care these animals, and others, desperately need."
Charged as caretakers for the horses, Peter Dervenis and Janey Dervenis are scheduled for their first appearance in the Ontario Court of Justice, Brampton on October 12, 2005. Charged as owners, Janey Dervenis' sister, Mee-Young Chung, and her husband, Joseph Chang, are believed to have fled the country and to be residing in Hong Kong. Warrants have been issued for their arrest by the Ontario Provincial Police should they elect to return to Canada.
Anyone with information about this case or with knowledge of the whereabouts of Joseph Chang or Mee-Yung Chung are asked to contact OPP Detective Constable Rasa Malinauskas attached to the ORC Investigative Unit at 705-437-4700. Information can also be left on the ORC Integrity Hotline at 1-877-668-7223, or with Doug Rombough of the Ontario SPCA at 1-888-668-7722, ext. 347 |
Source: OSPCA
Update posted on Jul 18, 2005 - 9:40PM |
References