The owners of Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia were arrested Tuesday ahead of a government-ordered cull.After being detained by the RCMP on behalf of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for fighting back against the federal agency's looming slaughter of their flock, Katie Pasitney and her mother Karen Espersen were quickly released under conditions..Footage by Thundra Kerr shows a RCMP liaison informing farm supporters of the pair's circumstances."Any breaching of those conditions would end up being another arrest for another charge on top of that," he said, adding that both had signed off on not going back onto the farm.In a statement, the RCMP explained that Pasitney and her mother had been arrested under Section 35(1) of the Health of Animals Act for "obstructing CFIA agents from performing their duties.""The RCMP has also received complaints from businesses in the area of threats, intimidation and harassment due to the dispute," they added. "We are investigating these incidents and will take steps to ensure that those who unlawfully interfere with or threaten the safety of any person or property may be held accountable in accordance with the laws of Canada.".Feds order owners of BC ostrich farm to leave, say CFIA will ensure birds are fed before cull.Nearly 400 birds have been sentenced to death by Ottawa following a months-long legal battle between the farm and the CFIA, which had ordered the owners to leave so that someone from the federal organization can come in and take care of the birds before the cull.
