Tim Trow, Toronto Humane Society President
Toronto Humane Society president Tim Trow and four other employees are facing criminal animal cruelty charges after a very public raid and arrest today.
Shackled in handcuffs Trow, the society’s chief veterinarian Dr. Steve Sheridan, general manager Gary McCracken and two other staff members were led out of the River St. shelter just after 4 p.m.
The arrest followed the execution of several search warrants by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with the help of Toronto Police.
Today’s arrests come after several current and former humane society employees and volunteers brought forward allegations of animal cruelty earlier this year.
OSPCA officials said today’s search was based on evidence the THS senior staff have allegedly allowed acts of animal cruelty to take place and have tried to prevent peace officers from doing their jobs.
“Among the most pressing concerns is evidence that the basic needs of animals are not being met,” the OSPCA stated in a press release. “Other evidence points to a lack of disease and pathogen control and THS management’s decision to chronically understaff the facility, as well as staff it with untrained employees.”
Officials stressed that internal records show many of the animals admitted to the society “die slow, painful deaths rather than being humanely euthanized according to the accepted standards of veterinary medicine.”
“This is a difficult day for the Ontario SPCA and the Toronto Humane Society, but it is necessary to protect the lives of animals,” OSPCA Chief Executive Officer Kate MacDonald stated. “We realize that the THS is capable of providing an important public service, but it could not fulfill its responsibilities until this action was taken.
“Our first priority is the safety of the animals currently in the THS facility. Our team of veterinarians will assess their health and take appropriate actions. We believe the THS can become an important animal welfare facility again in the near future with effective and responsible management.”
Tim Trow will be charged with two counts of animal cruelty, two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and three counts of obstructing a peace officer.
Gary McCracken is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, cruelty to animals and three counts of obstructing a peace officer.
Dr. Steve Sheridan, THS Head Veterinarian, is charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and cruelty to animals.
Andy Bechtel is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, cruelty to animals and three counts of obstructing a peace officer.
Romeo Bernadino is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, cruelty to animals and three counts of obstruction of a peace officer.
All five and the THS board of directors will also face the provincial offence charge under the Ontario SPCA Act of five counts of animal cruelty.
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Once again I have to wonder: If you don’t love animals, if their health and well-being is not your top priority, why on earth are you working at an animal shelter? Or as a veterinarian? It makes no sense to me. And that there are all too often “partners in crime” in situations like this — that is just as hard to comprehend. Thank goodness someone finally spoke out on behalf of those who can’t speak for themselves. Hopefully the punishments will fit the crime, because if not, then those poor animals who died “slow, painful” deaths, did so for nothing.
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