Last week (27 May 2026), St. Thomas Police Service did something many Ontario police services will not do – they arrested and laid criminal code charges for animal cruelty.
We are calling on York Regional Police (YRP) to do the same in the case of Heiniu, the Rottweiler’s death.
And what was even more extraordinary, Provincial Animal Welfare Services (AWS) was also on site and St. Thomas Police still took the lead and laid criminal charges.
Those involved in advocating for animal welfare in Ontario, know this is not a common occurrence.
In many jurisdictions we see police abdicating their responsibility when it comes to animal welfare.
Many police services are not even aware of their investigative or charging authority under Canada’s Criminal Code when it comes to animal cruelty and welfare.
A common (and erroneous) belief is that animal welfare related issues are fully under the responsibly of Animal Welfare Services (AWS).
This uniformed position is birthed at the highest levels of provincial government by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Attorney General and filters down through the regions, municipalities and police services’ boards, the rank and file officers, crown attorneys and justice systems.
In a meeting over 2 years ago with Solicitor General Michael Kerzner (who is responsible for all police services in Ontario and for animal welfare) the Minister admitted to Humane Initiative that this lack of consistency was a known “gap”.
We are still waiting for that gap to be bridged.
So we applaud St. Thomas Police Service for actually understanding your role, stepping up and acting.
On the other side of the coin is Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services (AWS). They operate under the umbrella of the Ministry of the Solicitor General and are directed by The Provincial Animal Welfare Act (PAWS) legislation which superseded the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) in January 2020.
The PAWS Act establishes standards of care, prohibitions against running a puppy mill, prohibitions of causing distress, Powers of Authority, and identifies offences among other elements.
The Provincial Offences Act (POA) outlines the procedural framework for how offences are prosecuted under the Act. How charges are laid, summons/warrants, court appearances.
It is important to note: Officers with the Animal Welfare Services (AWS) have NO authority to lay criminal code charges. They can only file Provincial Offence Act charges.
However, equally important to note is the fact that if an act of cruelty/neglect appears to be especially severe, AWS Officers have the authority and dare I say a responsibility to bring their evidence to the local police service to have that evidence assessed to determine if the level of pain/suffering/distress inflicted rises to a criminal code level.
Time and time again we see this step not happening. We see cases where the level of cruelty was profoundly severe but AWS officers DO NOT bring it to police. The result in many cases, is that people accused of animal neglect and cruelty skirt criminal justice. The opportunity to send a clear message of deterrence is lost.
Recent examples:
- Katelyn Lidkea (owner of 4 Lucky Paws Rescue – Peterborough)
- Jessica Kippen (owner of Kippen Cares – Hamilton)
- Carly Young (owner of Dakota – Niagara Falls)
Another important element is that penalties, fines and probation under the Provincial Offence Act (POA) are very different than under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Convictions under the Provincial Offence Act will:
- Have substantially more lenient penalties, fines and probation orders than criminal code convictions
- NOT result in a criminal record for the person convicted
- Has no authority outside of the province of Ontario
Currently in the news in Aurora, Ontario is the case of two municipal animal control officers who are accused of inflicting severe and lengthy pain and suffering on a stray dog (named Heiniu) – resulting in him succumbing on the scene as bystanders screamed at the officers to stop.
This has enraged this town. Just this past week a large protest took place outside of the town hall and flowed inside to the Council meeting.
The community of Aurora are demanding action; a full, independent and transparent investigation of the elected municipal leaders.
The municipality in turn have circled the wagons and appear to be entirely focused on protecting themselves against anticipated legal action.
Initially Provincial Animal Welfare Services (AWS) said they would be investigating. Within 3 days, AWS flip flopped stating they had no authority to investigate “another service”.
Humane Initiative, in writing challenged this position by showing via The PAWS Act that AWS most certainly had authority and a responsibility to investigate what happened in Aurora. The next day, AWS flip flopped again and an investigation was opened.
York Region Police meanwhile have completely washed their hands of the Aurora case EVEN THOUGH two YRP Special Constables were on scene as Heiniu was brutalized claiming “there is nothing we can do”.
So here we are folks..the state of animal welfare in Ontario!
But as we are dealing with the case of Heiniu right now… the public are standing up, making their voices heard and demanding justice for Heiniu!
What is happening right now by the citizens of the Town of Aurora is awe inspiring!
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