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Cruelty Charge Laid by The Toronto Humane Society Sustained

Posted on: Thursday, July 26 /07

Last year, when the little puppy was beaten on Toronto’s Boardwalk at 5 a.m., a nurse on her way to work witnessed it and called The Toronto Humane Society. The THS promptly seized the puppy (and her brother) to protect them from abuse. The owner appealed the seizure to the Animal Care Review Board and we were required to appear before the Board.

The Board not only failed to speak in defense of the animals, but it actually ordered the puppies returned to the owner!

In its decision of October 19, 2006, the Animal Care Review Board (a McGuinty Government-appointed agency that oversees humane societies) ordered the return, despite a witness the Board found to be “honest” and who gave sworn testimony that the dog’s guardian “threw it (the female puppy) roughly to the boardwalk and hit it (her) repeatedly”.

Shockingly, the Animal Care Review Board said it found it pertinent that the hitting hadn’t caused physical injuries or discharge from the eyes, ears or mouth. It also said one hitting wasn’t enough and that the hitting needed to be repeated and repetitive in order to allow The Toronto Humane Society to keep the puppies and protect them in the Society's care.

The Toronto Humane Society then asked the OSPCA (whose permission it needs under the OSPCA Act), to appeal the ruling. The Ontario SPCA said “No”, despite The Toronto Humane Society’s offer to pay for the cost. In a letter from Jennifer Friedman, Legal Counsel for the OSPCA, The Toronto Humane Society was shocked to read that the OSPCA “accepts the decision of the Board” and that the “OSPCA’s decision not to appeal is final.”

What the Animal Care Review Board and Ontario SPCA have done has been an eye-opener for us.

Thankfully, the puppies are now in new homes, but we must prepare for the future.

It’s time for change. Help us better help the animals.

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Write the Premier and your local MPP today. Tell each of them what you think about the ACRB and the Ontario SPCA. And be sure to copy us as well.

In the meantime you can also let us know what you think in our Speak Up! section.

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