Thank you very much for your reply to my email regarding Bill 50.
Bill 50's "Standards of Care" will be enforced by Ontario SPCA employees and unpaid volunteers with 1-2 weeks in house training exercising "any and all the powers of a police officer" including the power of warrantless entry.
August 2003 the Ontario SPCA seized and killed my 12.5 year old Akbash dog ARKO from a licenced boarding facility while we were on vacation. Ontario SPCA Inspectors determined Arko to be a 5.5 year old emaciated, dehydrated, severely abused Great Pyranees. The Chief Inspector, Senior inspectors and volunteer agents all refused to accept information and documents to the contrary. The Chief Inspector himself advised my 10 year old and daughter and I that we were "guilty of animal cruelty until proven innocent". 10 Criminal charges were laid in this case. The Ontario SPCA issued media releases soliciting donations describing the abuse as always, the worst they'd ever seen. All charges were withdrawn midtrial without apology or explanation.
Minister Bartolucci's office, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ombudsman - all confirm Ontario SPCA inspectors and volunteer agents in fact have police powers and that the province does not in any way shape or form investigate or oversee their actions. The Ontario SPCA is also not subject to Freedom of Information.
Until the province recognizes and investigates abuse of police powers by the Ontario SPCA, citizens and animals will continue to suffer at the hands of this private police force. You can't imagine the abuse, intimidation, bullying, threats and fear for their lives animals and people undergo. The Ontario SPCA breezily labels allegations of abuse of police powers by their staff as "the cost of doing business".
You are right - strong, effective animal welfare legislation is needed however, it MUST BE ENFORCED EQUITABLY BY A PUBLICLY ACCOUNTABLE ORGANIZATION not a charity orchestrating animal cruelty sensationalism to solicit the necessary donations to fund their existence. ($13,000,000 annually).
If Bill 50 is passed as currently written - the province could very well in the near future be held liable for injuries sustained by citizens and animals at the hands of the Ontario SPCA.
To date several farmers have had heart attacks and one has attempted suicide during and directly after investigations. Farmers are on stress medication unable to care for their remaining animals. These are law-abiding citizens with well-cared for animals as evidenced by court rulings and Animal Care Review Board rulings. Numerous animals have been seized/killed/maimed by the Ontario SPCA in error. Senior Ontario SPCA Inspectors and volunteer agents spitefully refuse to participate in biosecurity measures. They have moved entire herds of animals without mandatory ear tags in overcrowed, unsafe vehicles to substandard foster care facilities. They have no understanding of food safety protocol and accepted animal husbandry practices. Tensions have escalated to dangerous levels.
Police powers should NEVER HAVE BEEN GRANTED without governmental oversight, accountability and transparency. As a Liberal MPP, you have the power and responsibility to do something about this.
Please advise, where might I obtain a copy of the provincial Standards of Animal Care and Ontario SPCA by-laws?
Sincerely,
Sunny Reuter