Animal-neglect trial adjourned until May

The trial of an Alberta woman facing animal cruelty charges has been delayed until May.

Patricia Moore appeared in court Wednesday in Edson, about 200 kilometres west of Edmonton.

Moore faces four counts of allowing animals to be in distress and four counts of failing to ensure animals have adequate food and water.

The charges are related to the seizure of horses, rabbits and dogs from a farm near Carrot Creek in December.

The case was adjourned until next month after Moore, who is representing herself, raised questions at the hearing about the search warrant the RCMP usedto get on her property.

"Personally, it's difficult," Moore told CBC News Wednesday. "It's a strain. It's not reasonable to put someone through that emotional distress."

SPCA officers raided Moore's farm following a complaint made by the RCMP, who had been at the farm on a separate incident.

Horse has hole in itshead: RCMP

The SPCA took the horses to a rescue centre for neglected animals east of Edmonton.

Four of the animals are still there. Susan Fyfe owns the centre. She said the animals were thin and malnourished when they arrived.

Court heard Wednesday thata mare, which is about to give birth, has a fist-sized hole between her eyes.

RCMP Corporal Mark Cusack said about 20 rabbits on Moore's farm had no access to food or water.

The cages were so full of feces, they were difficult toopen, he said.

A number of dogs were also without food and water, Cusak said.

Moore challenged Cusak over his lack of veterinary experience. Shesaidif animals were fed and given water earlier in the day, the food and water could have been gone by the time that he was on the farm.

This is not the first time the conditions onMoore's farm have been questioned.

In February, the SPCA found 19 horses on Moore's property, including three that were dead, CBC News has learned.

If convicted of the December charges, Moorefaces a fine up to $20,000 and could be prohibited from owning animals.

A man was also charged in the case but told CBC News on Tuesday that the charges against him had been withdrawn.

There is no word yet on what day in May Moore's trial will resume.

A trial date into the February incident has not yet been set.