Officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are gearing up for the culling of approximately 400 ostriches on a farm located near Edgewood, a small community in southeastern British Columbia. This action comes in response to an outbreak of avian influenza that was first identified in the farm's ostrich herd in December of the previous year.
To restrict access to the affected area, a three-meter-high wall of hay bales has been constructed around the farm. Observers on a nearby highway noted the presence of several individuals dressed in white protective suits on Tuesday, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
The urgency of the cull escalated following the arrests of Karen Espersen and her daughter, Katie Pasitney, who co-own the farm. They were apprehended after refusing to vacate the ostrich pen earlier on the same day. After some time, both women were released and returned home; however, Pasitney later stated that they are prohibited from re-entering the ostrich pen, which has come under the control of the CFIA since the previous Monday.
Pursuing the aftermath of the incident, Pasitney expressed her distress in a video shared on Facebook, indicating that they were anticipating a “sleepless night” ahead of the planned cull. Although officials have not provided a specific start date for the culling process, the situation remains tense for the farm's owners and the local community.
Another co-owner of the farm, Dave Belinski, took a different approach by voluntarily exiting the ostrich enclosure on the same day. His departure was driven by a need to remove his truck that was parked inside the pen. As of now, neither Espersen nor Pasitney has received charges related to their actions, but they have been informed that a court date has been scheduled to address the situation.
The British Columbia chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) issued a statement underscoring that the CFIA is the principal authority when it comes to disease control, especially in this case with Universal Ostrich Farms. The SPCA has clarified that they lack the jurisdiction to intervene or influence decisions amid the avian flu outbreak.
According to the SPCA, in instances where animals are afflicted with an illness that is untreatable or poses a grave threat to public health, euthanasia may be justified as a necessary measure. The organization emphasizes that in these critical situations, the methods employed to euthanize animals must be humane, aiming to minimize fear, pain, and anxiety both prior to and during the process.
In addition to addressing the humane treatment of animals, the SPCA also acknowledged the emotional and financial repercussions that the act of euthanizing animals can have on farmers and the broader community.
This report first emerged on September 24, 2025, highlighting the significant challenges facing both the farm owners and the officials tasked with managing the avian influenza outbreak. The coming days will undoubtedly be pivotal as the community grapples with the implications of the cull and the ongoing impact of the avian flu crisis on local agriculture and animal husbandry.
