A lawyer hired by the Toronto Humane Society went on the attack yesterday, saying his clients have been “demonized” amid an ongoing animal-welfare probe by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“It is well known in the animal-care industry that the OSPCA and the THS have been at odds for several decades,” prominent criminal lawyer Frank Addario said. “The dispute is jurisdictional, professional and philosophical. This chapter is the latest in a series of disagreements between the parties. The raid needs to be seen in the context of that dispute.”
The humane society hired Mr. Addario to represent several directors charged with cruelty to animals. The charges came after the OSPCA raided the society’s River Street facility, the culmination of an investigation that allegedly revealed an appalling record of cruelty at the downtown shelter.
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Among the grisliest findings was the mummified body of a cat named Casper in a ceiling trap. The OSPCA has since pointed to apparently falsified THS documents showing Casper had been euthanized at the facility, when in fact he had escaped from his cage, become trapped in the ceiling and slowly died.
A number of top humane society officials, including president Tim Trow, face several Criminal Code charges, but Mr. Addario has only been retained to represent members of the board of directors charged with non-criminal animal cruelty, a spokesman said. Mr. Addario’s fees will reportedly be paid through the shelter’s liability insurance, rather than donor money.
The charges facing THS officials relate to allegations that have already been litigated before the Animal Care Review Board, which is deciding the outcome of a dispute initiated by the OSPCA, Mr. Addario said. He suggested the ongoing probe “side-steps” that process, and pointed out that the humane society was recently reviewed without issue by both Revenue Canada and the College of Veterinarians of Ontario.
The college’s inspection, however, would have focused on the building’s veterinary facilities and would not have extended to the medical care give to any individual animals.
Christopher Avery, a lawyer retained by the OSPCA, said the humane society’s hiring of Mr. Addario is “no surprise,” but maintained his client would prevail. Bob Hambley, the humane society’s new president, said the THS “vehemently” disagrees with the OSPCA’s tactics and would be working with counsel to address the situation, “so that we can return to providing the highest standards of care to the animals entrusted to us.”
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