Ostrich Farm Controversy Highlights Animal Welfare Concerns
Like many individuals, Katie Pasitney kicked off the new year with resolutions, but hers were distinctly public and political. She’s determined to hold the Canadian government accountable for what happened to her family, their farm, and over 300 ostriches that were killed, leaving a tragic mark on their property in British Columbia.
Pasitney characterized the culling as “probably one of the most heinous acts of animal cruelty in Canadian history.” She recently shared her story with Align magazine, reflecting on what she described as the most difficult Christmas season of her life, followed by periods of shock, trauma, and deep depression after the government’s mass killing of her farm’s entire flock on November 6.
A Grim Outcome
This culling marked a tragic end to nearly a year of legal struggles that put Pasitney in the spotlight, as she took on the role of spokesperson for the farm, even recording a widely shared video about her plight. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered the culling due to concerns of a possible avian influenza outbreak in December 2024. After a temporary reprieve that sparked hope for an exemption, the CFIA denied the application on January 10, 2025, roughly a month before the government announced plans to buy 500,000 avian influenza vaccines.
From that point, things became increasingly tense for Pasitney and her mother, Karen Espersen, who co-owns the farm. The duo spent much of the year battling the CFIA legally, accruing numerous claims while the government seemingly triumphed in the legal arena. Throughout this battle, the government primarily leaned on one argument: the culling had to happen because orders had already been issued.
Support Amidst Struggles
High-profile figures in the U.S., like Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, and businessman John Catsimatidis, voiced support for the farm. This was despite facing mounting political pressure. Although numerous questions were posed in Parliament regarding the CFIA’s management of the situation, federal ministers regularly redirected inquiries back to the CFIA and judiciary.
For Pasitney and her supporters, it often seemed as though Ottawa was satisfied to let families wear themselves down legally.
Pasitney staunchly believes the birds weren’t the issue and even noted that some signs indicated herd immunity. It didn’t seem to matter—she hadn’t seen any illness for months, yet the CFIA refused to conduct more tests. Following the loss of their appeal in federal court, CFIA officials took control of the property on September 23, preparing to execute the culling.
While the Supreme Court temporarily intervened and agreed to hear the appeal, the CFIA remained at the scene, treating the ostriches as if they were “in custody.” Over the following weeks, Pasitney and her supporters alleged harassment and mistreatment of the birds by CFIA inspectors. Research indicated a concerning decline in ostrich populations.
Tragic Night
On November 6, the Supreme Court chose not to intervene further, allowing the culling to go ahead. That night, and into the early hours of November 7, CFIA shooters killed hundreds of ostriches in front of Pasitney and her supporters, using around 1,000 bullets in the process.
Even after the massacre, the CFIA maintained a lockdown on the property, preventing the family from retrieving spent shell casings or hay bales that had contributed to what Pasitney referred to as the “kill pen.”
Emotional Aftermath
I spoke with Pasitney on January 3rd during an interview from her farm in Edgewood, British Columbia, still reeling from the ordeal. She’s pushing for the lifting of quarantine restrictions so cleanup can begin but is equally focused on holding the CFIA and the Prime Minister’s government accountable.
Her memories are still fresh. She described the killings as “probably one of the most heinous acts of animal cruelty in Canadian history,” mentioning that her family faced almost a year of intimidation at the hands of the state while the ostriches experienced “hours of fear and panic” during the culling process.
Questions of Accountability
Pasitney is adamant that exposing the truth about the situation has always been her goal. “They suppressed our real science,” she claimed. “For almost 300 days, there was no testing or monitoring, no clear evidence of disease, yet they stripped away our freedom.” She raises concerns over the biosecurity practices of government agencies on-site, criticizing the inconsistency in protective measures among the CFIA staff.
“There was no threat from the virus,” she argues. “Please show me proof of ongoing illnesses.” She pressed further, asserting that if there had truly been a danger, proper safety protocols would have been followed, including the proper disposal of biohazardous waste.
Furthermore, she suggested that not all ostriches were killed and that some were removed from the site. “They stole our science,” she said, imploring anyone with information to come forward.
A Fight for Farmers
For Pasitney, this struggle goes beyond just one farm. “Farmers across our country are under attack,” she stated. Accountability, in her view, necessitates a review of CFIA protocols, acknowledgment of farmers’ rights, and a rejection of blanket policies like eradication.
She’s in the process of organizing a national federation that will champion farmers’ rights, asking the fundamental question: “Who’s looking out for the people who feed the country?”
Though Pasitney is hesitant to discuss fundraising, she indicates that options are limited. The quarantine has decimated her income, leaving no revenue stream. “At the end of the day, the government is taking everything from us, and we keep fighting,” she said.
