What was done to Heiniu on May 4th, 2026 was NOT done by a member of the public.
It was done by two individuals acting in their professional capacity as trained Animal Control officers. A secondary clear distinction is that these two officers had actual physical custody of Heiniu.
It is fair statement to say that in their professional role, with their training and authority, and having actual physical custody of Heiniu that this should justify a higher expectation that these two individuals exercise reasonable care?
For example, as trained Animal Control officers, these individuals are expected to:
- take physical control of an animal;
- use capture or restraint equipment;
- are responsible for the animal’s safety while it is in their custody;
- have specialized training in animal handling;
- have alternatives available to them; and
- know or ought reasonably to know that a particular method could cause pain, distress, injury, or death,
Looking at this through the lens of Canada’s Criminal Code:
- Section 445.1 (1) – Causing unnecessary pain, suffering
- Section 445.1 (3) – Failure to exercise reasonable care
During the lengthy ordeal of almost 2 hours, the two Animal Control officers had multiple opportunities and the required training to recognize that the method and manner they were using was causing the animal serious pain, suffering and distress.
Their failure to stop, reassess demonstrated a complete failure to exercise reasonable care and judgement.
These are crimes! These are not Provincial Offences.
ONLY the police can investigate possible crimes and only police can file criminal charges.
An incident was reported to and created by York Regional Police (YRP) and an incident number registered shortly after Heiniu was killed. But YRP differed the case to Provincial Animal Welfare Services (AWS – PAWS).
Provincial Animal Welfare Services (AWS – PAWS) has NO AUTHORITY to investigate or charge against a criminal statute.
Therefore, we are once again calling on York Regional Police Service to conduct their own investigation into the death of Heiniu and if evidence exists, lay criminal code charges.
A CALL TO ACTION: