It's been 48 hours since five sick and starving horses were rescued from a Langley, B.C. farm and its still touch and go.
"We nearly lost one last night," said Eileen Drever, SPCA cruelty investigator.
The horses were seized by the Surrey SPCA after their owners used another of their emaciated thoroughbreds to try to pull their car out of a ditch.
"That's outrageous," says Shawn Eccles, another Animal Protection Officer. "Then to take a look at the animal itself they believe that animal has the health to do this. I'm stunned. Stunned."
Even more stunning is who owns the horses.
"It has been confirmed that the owners are veterinarians, which was shocking," said Drever.
This is the first time I've seen people with background they have that have allowed animals to get in this condition," said Eccles.
CTV News has learned they are Mark Morohn and Carol Schoyen, and they lived with the horses on the Langley farm.
No one was home when CTV visited the farm Friday. The clinic where they used to practice has changed ownership.
"Veterinarians, in my mind, would be held at a higher standard of care," said Dr. Jeff Grognet, President of the BC Veterinary Medical Association.
But even though the SPCA is recommending charges against the couple, their veterinary licenses can't be pulled immediately, like with teachers or doctors.
"They can pull a license pending the investigation," says Grognet. "In our situation, we have to investigate and reach a conclusion before we can look at suspending a license."
At the SPCA, the surviving horses have stolen the hearts of the shelter staff -- and the public.
"The support has been phenomenal," said Drever.
"We know these animals tonight are being taken care of and their stress has been relieved and we'll find them good homes," said Eccles.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson
