| Ontario SPCA addresses community concerns regarding suspended Toronto Humane Society allegedly conducting investigations | ||
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Toronto, ON (June 22, 2009) - The Ontario SPCA would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and address community concerns regarding the Toronto Humane Society allegedly conducting animal cruelty investigations in Toronto while their status as an affiliate member is currently suspended. The Toronto Humane Society has no more right or authority than a private citizen to intervene on behalf of animals in distress. The Toronto Humane Society's actions are not performed under the authority of the Ontario SPCA Act. Additionally, actions taken by the Toronto Humane Society, as private citizens acting as investigators, circumvents an animal owner’s ability to appeal to the Animal Care Review Board, an independent body of the Ministry of Community Safely and Correctional Services that ensures that activities of Ontario SPCA agents and inspectors are appropriate and transparent. The Ontario SPCA has created a network of professional support for Toronto to respond to allegations of neglect, abuse and abandoned animals. To make an animal cruelty complaint, please contact the Ontario SPCA’s Provincial Services at 1-888-668-7722 or visit www.ontariospca.ca. For related information concerning the ongoing investigation into the Toronto Humane Society, visit www.ontariospca.ca/press_releases/2009/ths_investigation.html ### 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. |