| Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responds to decision to drop all charges in Toronto Humane Society animal cruelty investigation; Press conference to be held at 4 p.m. today | ||
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Toronto, ON (August 16, 2010) - The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA) is extremely disappointed in the unilateral decision of the Ontario Crown Attorney to drop all charges against former Toronto Humane Society (THS) president Tim Trow and other former senior staff members. The Ontario SPCA is holding a press conference today at the following time and location: 4 p.m.
Renaissance Toronto Hotel Northern Lights Ballroom 1 Blue Jays Way "We are outraged by the Crown’s decision to drop all charges of animal cruelty, conspiracy and obstruction and the former THS staff members," said Ontario SPCA Chairman Rob Godfrey. “The Crown has not shared with us the specific reasons for their decision, other than to speculate that the search warrant executed on November 26, 2009, may have violated the Charter rights of those accused. A judge approved that search warrant, and another judge extended it during the Ontario SPCA investigation. We believe that the justice system should have been allowed to function properly, and let the evidence and witnesses tell their side of the story. But the Crown did not even examine the evidence in the case." "It is extraordinary that the Crown has not examined the volumes of crucial evidence that were the basis of the charges laid. This decision ultimately suggests that cases of animal cruelty will not be prosecuted by the Toronto Crown, or that it is okay to abuse and neglect defenceless animals," Mr. Godfrey said. "The evidence remains in a secure spot operated by the Ontario SPCA, as it is our job to manage and store this kind of evidence collected in cruelty investigations. This decision goes against everything Ontarians have been taught about our system of justice: that the evidence and witness testimony will form the foundation of guilt or innocence, not the whims of a lawyer." "We are calling upon Attorney-General Chris Bentley to review the decision made by the Toronto Crown," added Mr. Godfrey. "There is simply too much evidence of animal cruelty to let these charges drop. The public needs to have faith that alleged animal abusers will answer in a court of law when evidence is collected suggesting that they committed offences. The decision made by the Crown is not a legal decision, it is a policy decision. The Crown has assigned itself the powers of the Ontario Legislature, and the Attorney General must address this immediately." "The real victims of this decision are the animals who were subjected to terrible abuse and cruelty at the THS until November, 2009," Mr. Godfrey said. "The Ontario SPCA will not be deterred in aggressively pursuing evidence of animal cruelty. We are urging Ontarians to contact their MPP and express their opposition to this arbitrary decision by the Toronto Crown that could lead to an increase in animal cruelty." Throughout the criminal investigation managed by the Ontario SPCA under its legal mandate, several veterinarians swore affidavits citing evidence of animal cruelty, conspiracy and obstruction of justice on the part of the accused. They are available for the public and media to view at the Ontario SPCA website at www.ontariospca.ca. 30 For more information contact Rosaline Ryan Media Contact 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 affiliated with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. |