Four North Okanagan teenagers are facing serious charges in connection with what RCMP are calling a very disturbing crime.
The quartet were arrested on the weekend in connection with the theft of two goats from a Spallumcheen farm on May 3, and the goats’ subsequent killing.
“Our investigation resulted in the arrest of four individuals, and the recovery of the two deceased goats in a remote area near Falkland,” said Sgt. Dave Evans with the RCMP.
“I don’t have any details of any specific ritual, but the way the animals were killed was quite disturbing. This is very disturbing to the public and to the police.”
The property owner discovered the two goats missing from a gated pen on his property on May 3.
Police received information on May 5 that some students may have taken the goats to a field and killed them.
The police investigation has been ongoing since that day.
Evans said the goats received multiple stab wounds, were dismembered and some of their body parts were cut off.
“The motive isn’t exactly clear what with this matter going to court, but it appears these persons took the goats to that location for what looks to be the express purpose of slaughtering them,” said Evans, who added that he had no information that the owner of the goats or his farm were targeted.
Of the four arrested, two were remanded in custody – an 18-year-old male from Falkland and a 16-year-old male from Vernon – pending a Monday court appearance.
The other two males, one 17, the other 16, and both from Armstrong, were released on promises to appear in court.
The four are facing charges which include theft of cattle (the definition of cattle under the Criminal Code of Canada, according to RCMP, includes goats and farm animals), injuring or endangering cattle and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The theft charge, said Evans, is the most serious, as it’s a straight indictable offence which can carry a prison term of not more than 10 years.
It’s believed the two males released will not be facing the theft of cattle charges.
Evans said investigators will be seeking a psychiatric exam for one of the accused.
“We are interested in ensuring these people get the necessary help and treatment they need, that the motivation for why this crime was committed is discovered and that they can receive the treatment to make sure it doesn’t escalate or repeat itself,” he said.
The quartet were arrested on the weekend in connection with the theft of two goats from a Spallumcheen farm on May 3, and the goats’ subsequent killing.
“Our investigation resulted in the arrest of four individuals, and the recovery of the two deceased goats in a remote area near Falkland,” said Sgt. Dave Evans with the RCMP.
“I don’t have any details of any specific ritual, but the way the animals were killed was quite disturbing. This is very disturbing to the public and to the police.”
The property owner discovered the two goats missing from a gated pen on his property on May 3.
Police received information on May 5 that some students may have taken the goats to a field and killed them.
The police investigation has been ongoing since that day.
Evans said the goats received multiple stab wounds, were dismembered and some of their body parts were cut off.
“The motive isn’t exactly clear what with this matter going to court, but it appears these persons took the goats to that location for what looks to be the express purpose of slaughtering them,” said Evans, who added that he had no information that the owner of the goats or his farm were targeted.
Of the four arrested, two were remanded in custody – an 18-year-old male from Falkland and a 16-year-old male from Vernon – pending a Monday court appearance.
The other two males, one 17, the other 16, and both from Armstrong, were released on promises to appear in court.
The four are facing charges which include theft of cattle (the definition of cattle under the Criminal Code of Canada, according to RCMP, includes goats and farm animals), injuring or endangering cattle and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The theft charge, said Evans, is the most serious, as it’s a straight indictable offence which can carry a prison term of not more than 10 years.
It’s believed the two males released will not be facing the theft of cattle charges.
Evans said investigators will be seeking a psychiatric exam for one of the accused.
“We are interested in ensuring these people get the necessary help and treatment they need, that the motivation for why this crime was committed is discovered and that they can receive the treatment to make sure it doesn’t escalate or repeat itself,” he said.
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