It may be quite some time before the fate of two Langley, B.C., veterinarians charged with animal cruelty will be decided.
Mark Marohn and his wife Carol Schoyen-Marohn made their first court appearance Friday in Surrey after each being charged with two counts of animal cruelty after half a dozen starving horses were found in their care.
Proceedings have been adjourned until May.
The pair was arrested last December after witnesses told the B.C. SPCA they witnessed the couple using one of their horses to pull a car from a ditch near their Langley, B.C., farm. The horse, which was so weak it couldn't stand, had to be euthanized at the scene.
SPCA investigators found five other neglected horses on the property.
The SPCA's Eileen Drever says she'll never forget the scene.
"I've been with the B.C. SPCA for 30 years and I couldn't believe how much these horses affected me. It was really disturbing to see them in that condition."
The other four horses have made a full recovery and are currently in foster care. It is believed the horses will be ready for adoption next week.
Despite the charges, the B.C. Veterinary Medical Association can't suspend the couple's veterinary licenses unless an internal inquiry finds wrongdoing.
"Unfortunately, we don't have the ability to pull a licence or suspend pending an investigation," said Ray Snopek. "Our statute doesn't allow that."
The association told CTV News they had never heard of veterinarians being charged with animal cruelty before, and that the case could be the first of its kind in North America.
Marohn is currently not licensed in B.C. because his fees are not up to date with the association.
If convicted the couple each face a fine up to $5,000 and five years in jail. They would also be prohibited from owning any animals.
