A message from the Ontario SPCA
Today is a sad day for animals in need.
As you know, the Ontario Crown Attorney's office has decided to drop the charges stemming from the Ontario SPCA's lengthy investigation into animal cruelty at the Toronto Humane Society. The Crown's office has claimed that they were concerned the Charter rights of those accused - all former senior managers at the THS - were violated as a result of technical issues with the search warrant.
Before today, the Crown would not share with us what those concerns were. A judge approved the search warrant, and another judge extended it. If there were problems, we would have expected the judges to address them.
Right now, there are volumes of evidence that support the original charges sitting in a secure location collected during the search warrant period. The Crown Attorney's office has not reviewed this evidence at all. This evidence documents abuse and neglect of defenceless animals. According to today's decision, this evidence will never be tested in a court of law.
This decision goes against everything Ontarians have been taught about our system of justice - that the strength of the evidence and witness testimony will form the foundation of guilt or innocence. Not the whims of a lawyer.
We are calling on Attorney General Chris Bentley to review this decision made by the Toronto Crown Attorney's office.
The public needs to have faith that alleged animal abusers will answer to a court of law when evidence is collected suggesting they committed offences.
Today, our faith in the justice system has been severly shaken.
To all those Ontarians who feel the same way, we urge you to contact your MPP and let them know you want justice to be served on those who allegedly abuse animals. A list of Ontario MPP's and their contact information can be found on at Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
Finally, we want to stress that the Ontario SPCA was compelled to act on the allegations of animal abuse at THS. Many veterinarians and staff members - at great risk to their careers -- came forward with troubling stories and evidence. Doing nothing was not an option.
We followed the legal process. We followed the rules and regulations that govern our authority. We did our job. But at the end of the day, it's up to the Crown Attorney to prosecute these charges.
It is a sad day for animals in need. As of today, nobody will be held responsible for the pain and suffering they endured at the THS. Pain and suffering that is well documented.
You can read about it in affidavits filed in support of the search warrant on the Ontario SPCA website - www.ontariospca.ca.
Find your MPP:
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
OSPCA Court Documents and Evidence:
Click to download: ITO
Click to download: Court documents (zipped documents)
Please be advised these photos are very graphic and may be upsetting and disturbing, please view with caution.
Please help to achieve justice for the animals.
