Charges dropped in Toronto Humane Society Animal Cruelty Case

The case that saw one of Canada’s oldest and largest animal-welfare organizations hit by sensational allegations of animal abuse took an unexpected turn Monday when prosecutors dropped all 46 charges against the Toronto Humane Society, its former board and some senior staff members.

The Crown dropped all charges laid against former Toronto Humane Society employees, including its former president Tim Trow, on Monday citing “serious breaches” of the Charter rights of those who were charged. The Toronto Humane Society was raided last November after the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals obtained a search warrant under the suspicion that animal cruelty was rampant.Among the allegations were reports of neglected cats and dogs. A mummified feline was also discovered in the ceiling.

Trow, along with four other senior officials, were charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence of cruelty to animals. They were also charged with obstructing a peace officer.The Crown now says that the charges were dropped because “serious constitutional issues” had rendered the evidence obtained during the investigation inadmissible.

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Toronto Star

The OSPCA has released this statement in response.