An RCMP patch is worn by an officer at RCMP "E" Division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

By The Canadian Press

Man faces one count of bestiality after alleged horse assault in Vernon, B.C.

Mar 27, 2026 | 12:18 PM

VERNON — A man in Vernon, B.C., has been charged with bestiality after he was allegedly captured on security cameras trespassing on a rural property occupied by a horse jumping and training business in January.

Court records show the man is due in court on Monday at the Vernon law courts for a hearing to fix a date on a single count of bestiality alleged to have occurred on Jan. 24.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP say the matter is now before the courts and declined to provide any additional details about the man’s arrest and charge.

Mounties said in January that they were investigating a report of trespassing at the property, and the owner showed officers security video footage that “revealed a criminal offence had occurred” in an enclosed animal pen.

The horse training business, Abigail Equestrian, had posted images from the footage at the time on social media trying to identify the suspect, alleging a man had entered the property and “assaulted” some horses.

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RCMP said the social media post received “significant public attention” that prompted a large volume of tips to police.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2026.

The Canadian Press