Another arrest made at Toronto Humane Society

A Toronto Humane Society staff member was arrested Thursday, six weeks after the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals raided the shelter and arrested five other THS officials on animal cruelty charges.

Toronto police entered the society’s headquarters on Thursday afternoon and emerged with Trevor Smith, one of THS’ most high-profile investigators.

Smith rose to fame two years ago, when he rescued a dog from a sweltering SUV and handcuffed its owner to the vehicle.

He is charged with two counts of impersonating a peace officer and one count of perjury, relating to allegations he continued to act in an enforcement role as an OSPCA peace officer after June 3, 2009.

As of that date, all THS agents were suspended as OSPCA peace officers.

Also arrested was Mark Beauchamp, an agent with the OSPCA. Beauchamp faces one count of obstruction of a peace officer, because he allegedly informed THS staff of an impending OSPCA inspection on June 2, 2009.

The arrests are just the latest salvo in a protracted battle between THS and the OSPCA.

The OSPCA said evidence against Smith and Beauchamp was collected during the execution of a search warrant of THS headquarters on Nov. 26, 2009. That was the date OSPCA officials raided THS and closed it, alleging that animals were found in distress and not receiving proper care.

"These new arrests reveal that this ongoing investigation of the THS is necessary in order to protect animals in need and uphold the public trust in the institutions that have been established to protect these animals," said OSPCA Chief Executive Officer Kate MacDonald. "In addition, charging our own Ontario SPCA agent indicates that we are serious about holding all investigators to the highest standard of conduct, not just those at the THS."

The OSPCA said the investigation of THS will continue, with the OSPCA managing animal care at the facility during the probe.

THS had just resumed animal adoptions earlier this week, after a judge’s order granted THS employees access to the building.

The OSPCA said THS remains open for adoptions.