Dozens of protesters rallied outside of a Chatham-Kent, Ont. courthouse Thursday in support of 21 alleged fighting dogs seized last year by the Ontario Society for the Protection of Animals.
The OSPCA applied to euthanize the dogs, but other animal welfare organizations are fighting to save them.
“They do deserve the opportunity to be rehabilitated and to experience love,” said Clare Forndran, a spokesperson for Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary.
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The OSPCA used two specialists from the United States they described as “world experts” to assess the dogs.
Those experts concluded the canines were dangerous and could not be rehabilitated.
Their conclusions are part of the OSPCA’s application to euthanize the dogs, filed in court. Dog Tales and Animal Justice are arguing to get intervenor status to fight the OSPCA’s application.
The groups want to bring in their own outside experts for an assessment.
READ MORE: Ongoing dogfighting investigation in southwestern Ontario leads to new charges
“We are extremely critical of the assessments done to date by the SPCA,” said Camille Labchuk, Executive Director of Animal Justice Both groups said all requests to access the dogs and do an independent assessment have been refused.
Global News sought comment from Crown attorney James Boonstra. He is currently refusing to allow an outside, independent assessment of the dogs by either the Crown or the OSPCA. Boonstra declined to speak to Global News.
The OSPCA said it is not up to them to determine how the case proceeds.
READ MORE: OSPCA sounds alarm over Ontario dogfighting operations
“The decision to have evaluations or assessment, independent or otherwise, would be at the Crown or the court’s direction,” said Jennifer Bluhm, Senior Inspector for the OSPCA.
Dog Tales has said it would cover all costs to take custody of the dogs, which are being kennelled by the OSPCA in a secret location.
Even the dogs’ owners, who are accused of abuse, said they would voluntarily sign the canines over to Dog Tales.
“If it means that they will be saved, absolutely,” said their lawyer, Ken Marley.
The dogs have been locked up for over a year now and the animal rights groups alleged they are getting minimal care.
“It’s like a human being on death row. These dogs are on death row with the OSPCA,” said John Nunziata, lawyer for Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary.
“No effort is being made to rehabilitate them.”
The OSPCA said that is not true.
“They have specialized care plans which include stimulation, exercise,” said Bluhm.
The justice of the peace reserved his decision. He expects to release it before the next court date on Dec. 22.
Meanwhile, the dogs remain caged where they have been for the last year.
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