Police raid Toronto Humane Society, arrest several key staffers

Toronto, ON - The accusations were levelled earlier this year, and the investigation into the charges of animal cruelty had been ongoing since June. The investigation culminated in a surprise raid made on the Toronto Humane Society's (THS) River Street shelter on Thursday, with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) taking over the shelter. Four animals were put down on Thursday evening, due to the amount of distress they were in, and approximately 1,000 other animals are under the care of the OSPCA. This morning the Toronto Humane Society's President, Tim Trow, told the Toronto Star

"There is no substance to the charges. I've never been unkind to an animal in my life. My life is geared towards trying to help animals. The Toronto Humane Society is a wonderful place."

Trow and the other four officials were all slapped with two counts each of with cruelty to animals, excepting the Chief Veterinarian, who only faces one charge of animal cruelty. Also charged are general manager Gary McCracken, head veterinarian, Dr. Steve Sheridan, supervisor Andy Bechtel and manager Romeo Bernadino. All save Sheridan were also charged with obstruction of a peace officer. A spokesperson for the THS, Ian McConachie, was arrested Friday morning for trespassing, but was not charged. More charges may be laid. The Board of Directors will also face animal cruelty charges. The OSPCA has said that the THS neglected animals, leaving some to die in their cages. Many animals did not receive proper care or food, according to the OSPCA. The Ontario SPCA Act gives the non-profit organization the authority to enforce animal cruelty legislation, and the organization has police powers for this task. After the launch of the investigation in June 2009, the OSPCA suspended the THS's affiliation with the OSPCA. That act took away the ability of the THS to investigate instances of animal cruelty. During the raid, a pit bull/Labrador cross named Bandit, ordered to be put down six years ago after it attacked a toddler, had to be pepper sprayed, police said. Bandit was being kept in Trow's office at the shelter. The OSPCA launched its investigation after the Globe & Mail ran an in-depth series on the THS this past spring. Besides the charges of animal cruelty, the OSPCA has also alleged that the shelter is "disease-ridden." The investigation was prompted by a series run in the Globe & Mail, Killing them with kindness, which said that the shelter conditions were so bad, staff and volunteers had quit in protest. A Globe article, A Shelter in Crisis, featured many disturbing pictures. One shows duckings huddled together in a filthy cage, while another shows a feral cat, one of the many that had taken over the building. Some of the pictures the Globe featured were taken by THS staff, who were concerned about the conditions the animals were forced to live within - and die. The pictures also show dead animals in their cages. Maconachie told CTV that he was confident the THS would "beat the charges" once they were in court. He also told CTV that he suspected the OSPCA was trying to hurt the THS, saying Christmas was the THS's prime fund-raising time. He said the THS and OSPCA have had disagreements in the past. The OSPCA said the charges were a result of a "meticulous" investigation,. The OSPCA has announced that it will re-open the shelter on Tuesday, and all of the animals will be available for adoption.