A St. Catharines veterinarian, whose case first made headlines last year, is now facing 16 counts of animal cruelty under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Dr. Mahavir Rekhi faces eight counts of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal and eight counts of failing to provide suitable and adequate care to an animal.
Rekhi operates Skyway Animal Hospital and re-opened his clinic in February after serving a six-month suspension from the Ontario College of Veterinarians.
The veterinarian’s licence was suspended after clinic staff and former employees made complaints to the college and went public with video of alleged animal abuse, dating back to 2013.
A criminal investigation was launched last September by the Lincoln County Humane Society.
Regional Inspector Carol VanderHeide, of the Ontario SPCA, adds that “the investigations team thoroughly examined all relevant evidence, which allowed us to proceed with 16 charges against the accused.”
Rekhi is scheduled to appear in a St. Catharines courtroom on July 14.
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