Three Edgewood, B.C. residents living near Universal Ostrich Farm have initiated legal action against the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the RCMP, alleging trespassing on their property. The civil claim, filed on Feb. 10 by Alyson Turnbull, Trevor Klug, and Margaret Greba, pertains to their residence at 224 Langille Rd. in Edgewood, which is adjacent to Universal Ostrich Farm. The farm had numerous ostriches culled by the CFIA in November due to an avian flu outbreak. The neighbors claim that the federal agencies trespassed on their property using a warrant that lacked disclosed facts and continued to occupy the premises unjustly.
The residents clarified that they are not associated with the ostrich farm or the activities leading to the warrant, which alleged failure to notify a veterinary officer and obstructing an inspector. The claim asserts that the CFIA and RCMP trespassed on the Edgewood property multiple times from Sept. 22 to November 2025. Despite constant notifications of the trespass, the agencies persisted in their unauthorized presence on the property in a high-handed and arbitrary manner, as stated in the claim.
The residents further accused the CFIA of constructing hay-bale enclosures or “kill pens” on their property without lawful permission and moving “contaminated hay” across the premises without consent. The claim also mentions that the RCMP and CFIA ridiculed the residents during attempts to enforce property rights, resulting in mental distress and property damage. Seeking a permanent injunction, damages, and other remedies, the residents intend to address the situation legally.
The B.C. RCMP acknowledged the civil claim in an emailed statement, refraining from further comments due to the ongoing court process. Similarly, the CFIA confirmed receiving the civil claim and stated that they would respond within the established timelines by the British Columbia Supreme Court. Notably, none of the allegations made have been proven in court, emphasizing the preliminary nature of the legal dispute.