CHESTERVILLE — Farmers from all over the province are voicing their support for embattled Chesterville dairy farmers David and Marilyn Robinson. Along with 200 letters and almost as many phone calls from as far as Sudbury, western Ontario and Quebec, the donations have been steadily trickling in and now total nearly $20,000.

"It means a lot," says David. "If it wasn’t for (that support), I don’t know what we would have done."

The Robinsons have been charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty under the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act, and if convicted, they face $720,000 in fines and jail time. The pre-trail continued Jan. 11. The Robinsons are also suing the OSPCA for libel.

Two of Robinson’s veterinarians have argued that Robinson’s cattle were not malnourished. They were old, some as old as 16 to 18 years. One vet agreed that the OSPCA demand for a higher body fat score was like asking an 80-year-old man to look 25.

Mounting legal fees have put such a strain on their finances that they sold their 10 kilograms of quota and some of their herd. Marilyn works off the farm, but the donations have really made a difference for them. They will also sell land if necessary, David said.

David says one farmer organized a slow pitch tournament and winning team donated their prize money.

Some farmers have even stopped by their farm to give them feed corn or to lend a hand, like their neighbour Ron Elliott, who has known the Robinsons since he was a child.

"He’s always tried to help out and then this happens to him," says Elliott, shaking his head. "If Dave has any problems, I’ll be here in a heartbeat."

The letters they’ve received echo Elliott’s support.

"As young farmers, we are sickened with the ridiculousness of the OSPCA, and especially your case. We wish you luck. The harassment of farmers from this group has got to stop," wrote one couple.

Most farmers were similarly incredulous over the Robinsons’ "unjust victimization."

"I can hardly believe that this case ever went this far. It seems as though common sense has been overlooked and there doesn’t seem to be any group willing to step in and say enough is enough," a fellow small dairy farmer wrote.

Many former dairy farmers also feared the wider implications of the Robinsons’ case.

"This could be any one of us and we feel extremely threatened by your experience," one wrote.

The Robinsons say the letters and calls have really lifted their spirits. It is clear the stress of the year-long battle with the OSPCA is taking a toll on both of them.

David, who has had three heart attacks in the last five years and is diabetic, is having trouble sleeping and his blood sugar is through the roof. Sometimes he gets so worked up he forgets to take his medication.

Having to sell the older cows, particularly one nicknamed Baby Beef, was heartbreaking for Marilyn. David says he won’t put the older cows through the stress of being loaded up and moved again. He’s purchased a backhoe and when a cow is at the end of its life, he’ll shoot it and bury it on his own property. But he’s also afraid he’ll have to sell the cows before he sees the end of his legal troubles.

David’s not sure how much more he can take, but he’ll continue to fight and has instructed his lawyer he will make no concessions.

"We cannot have these people putting everyone out of business like they put me out of business," he says. "Somebody has to stand up and be counted. We have a responsibility to our community and our whole country."

Here are excerpts from other letters from farmers:

"It is hard enough work to farm without having to fight all these officials."

"We are glad that farmers are willing to help you fight this case because if we don’t stick together there will be no agriculture left in Ontario."

"Thirty years ago I too would have been in trouble by the standards set today for farmers."

"We support your cause and we are watching the proceedings closely as the final ruling may have a significant impact on all livestock farming."

"I was a dairy farmer at one time, but we now are cow-calf operation and realize that we could become the next victims."