| Ontario SPCA to launch investigation into alleged conduct at Toronto Humane Society | ||
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Newmarket, ON (Monday, June 01, 2009) - Prompted by a three part Globe and Mail investigative series that began Saturday, May 30, 2009, the Ontario SPCA will be investigating allegations of inappropriate conduct at the Toronto Humane Society. The article entitled "Killing Them with Kindness" alleges that the Toronto Humane Society is permitting the unnecessary suffering of animals with a restrictive euthanasia policy. The Toronto Humane Society is one of nearly 50 community SPCA and Humane Societies in the province of Ontario. Though independently operated, the Toronto Humane Society is accountable to the Ontario SPCA through the Ontario SPCA Act. The Ontario SPCA is the province's leading animal welfare organization. Representing its Branches and Affiliated Societies, the Ontario SPCA is accountable to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. "The allegations raised in the Globe & Mail's investigative report relate directly to the welfare of animals and as such require the Ontario SPCA to investigate through its mandate under the Ontario SPCA Act" said Hugh Coghill, Chief Inspector for the Ontario SPCA. "We are extremely concerned to learn that an Affiliate is alleged to be conducting business in this manner. We will be consulting immediately with all stakeholders to ensure that conditions under which animals are kept at the Toronto Humane Society are in compliance with the policies and by-laws of the Ontario SPCA as is required by Affiliated Societies" added Kate MacDonald, CEO for the Ontario SPCA. The Ontario SPCA intends to be thorough, fair and transparent in its investigation and will advise the public and media of its progress. ### References: Globe and Mail Articles www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/ Ontario SPCA Provincial Media Contact: Kristin Williams About the Ontario SPCA The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA): Protecting
animals since 1873, the Ontario SPCA is a registered charity comprised of over 50 Communities
relying primarily on donations to fund animal protection, care and rehabilitation; advocacy;
and humane education. The Ontario SPCA Act mandates the Society to enforce animal cruelty laws
and provides Society investigators with police powers to do so - making the Ontario SPCA unique
among animal welfare organizations in the province. The Ontario SPCA is a member of the Canadian
Federation of Humane Societies, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, and is affiliated
with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. |