On top of losing its entire herd of more than 300, Universal Ostrich Farms was issued three violations by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
The Edgewood farm has challenged the Health of Animals violations, two of which each come with a $10,000 penalty. It has been successful in one.
The first came in December 2024, that Universal Ostrich failed to notify the nearest veterinary inspector of the presence of a reportable disease or toxic substance, or any fact indicating its presence. The Canada Agriculture Review Tribunal (CART) agreed and upheld the fine.
“The 30-day window to request a judicial review of CART’s decision has lapsed and the decision is now final,” the CFIA told Black Press Media.
The next violation, on or between Dec. 28, 2024 and Feb. 26, 2025, is failure to comply with a requirement to quarantine notice. That notice and penalty were set aside by CART on Feb. 6, 2026 because the quarantine notice was not personally delivered.
Lastly, the final violation was on Sept. 23, 2025 for obstructing CFIA inspectors performing duties or functions. Karen Esperson and Katie Pasitney were arrested with disposition to be determined.
There are currently no charges pending against Esperson, the co-owner of Universal Ostrich Farm, or her daughter Pasitney, who was in the pen trying to feed the birds when they were arrested.