Toronto Humane Society officials face charges in animal cruelty probe

TORONTO — Top officials at the Toronto Humane Society and its board of directors have been charged in an ongoing investigation into animal cruelty.

Investigators for the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) claim the most basic needs of the animals — like food and water — were not being met, and that staff violate veterinary standards.

On Thursday, the provincial society executed search warrants on the headquarters of the Toronto society.

Jamie West, media spokesman for the OSPCA, confirmed that the individuals were arrested Thursday afternoon.

"The allegations, frankly, are all over the place," West said. "The levels of cruelty, the degree of cruelty being alleged range from . . . well, is there such a thing as minor cruelty? Not really. But, we're talking extreme. Extreme."

Toronto Humane Society staff deny the allegations, and say the dispute is a political one linked to its refusal to euthanize animals.

In a news release, the Ontario society said among those involved is Tim Trow, THS president, who is facing two charges of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, two charges of cruelty to animals and three charges of obstructing a peace officer.

The THS board of directors is facing five charges of animal cruelty, the release said.

Gary McCracken, the society's general manager, faces two charges of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, a single charge of cruelty to animals and three of obstructing a peace officer.

Others include: head veterinarian Dr. Steve Sheridan, facing charges of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and cruelty to animals; Andy Bechtel, facing two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, cruelty to animals and three counts of obstruction of a peace officer; and Romeo Bernadino, facing two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, cruelty to animals and three counts of obstructing a peace officer.

Kevin Strooband, the police officer in charge and an inspector under the OSPCA Act, said the animals were in distress.

"There were a number of conditions," Strooband said. "There was dehydration. There's a few too many to list, but there were a number of conditions that just led us to believe that those animals were in distress, needing either food, water, shelter (or) care."

During the raid on the shelter, one dog was pepper sprayed when it allegedly attacked a police officer.

The investigation began in June when four cats were found in distress. According to the OSPCA release, the Ontario society conducted the probe with the aid of private investigators and under the authority of the Ontario SPCA Act, 2009.

With files from Global News