Officials Occupy Ostrich Farm in British Columbia
On September 23rd, a significant operation unfolded when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) intervened at the Universal Ostrich Farm located near Vernon, British Columbia.
Since then, they haven’t withdrawn. A large number of federal police and CFIA inspectors remain in the area, many have taken to wearing Hazmat suits after it was questioned why they were previously in standard uniforms without masks if the birds posed a health risk.
Pashitney and her mother were arrested the very same day on grounds of “animal cruelty,” while they were merely attempting to feed their birds.
The farm is owned by Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinsky, with management by their daughter, Katie Pacitony. Following the H1N1 avian flu outbreak on December 19, 2024, Pacitony has been the spokesperson for the farm. The ostriches have reportedly been healthy for over 250 days, yet Prime Minister Mark Carney’s liberal administration insists on destroying all 399 birds.
Even attempts by Health and Human Services figures such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz to persuade the government have not swayed Ottawa’s position.
Questioning “Animal Cruelty”
A major point of frustration for Pashitony is the CFIA’s refusal to test the birds, or to permit farmers to do so. Under the current quarantine regulations, testing even one ostrich could lead to fines of $200,000 and a six-month prison sentence for each bird involved.
After facing a setback in the federal court of appeals, the farm experienced a brief reprieve last Wednesday when the Supreme Court of Canada allowed a temporary enforcement stay as they deliberated whether to hear the case.
However, things have taken a turn for the worse. Pashitney and her mother were arrested as they were trying to feed their birds. Now, following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the CFIA is required to stay on the farm and must provide food and water to the ostriches. Pashitney compared the situation to “taking on a fox for the henhouse.”
A Display of Punishment?
Pashitney shared her exhaustion after two sleepless nights, recounting how the RCMP circled the property with headlights blaring into her home.
“What we are witnessing is a classic display of punishment. This isn’t justice; this is a consequence of standing up for what’s right. It began with a request for cooperation—we know our animals are healthy. We only wanted to test the birds without risking jail time and hefty fines. Instead, the government wastes millions of taxpayer dollars to persecute farmers who care for their animals,” she expressed.
Political support has been slow to materialize, and while some Conservative lawmakers have spoken out against the situation, party leader Pierre Poilievre remains silent following a slightly disappointing performance in the last federal election.
“Where is our leader?” Pacitony questioned. “When 40 police cars rolled off the highway at dawn, we suspected it could be the last time we saw our animals on our property.”
Threatening Escalation
Pasitony shared how she and her mother felt during their arrest, while also noting that bales of hay were mysteriously set ablaze, with RCMP helicopters and drones creating a disturbance among their livestock.
“This isn’t something that happens to just anyone, especially if you have healthy animals. The cry to save them is echoing around the world. Yet, our taxpayer dollars are being used to crush law-abiding farmers,” she lamented.
