On October 30, 2026 the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General posted on Facebook announcing 3 recent cases where convictions were obtained under the Provincial Offences Act.
Beating their chests and so proud of themselves, professing that the Province of Ontario has ZERO tolerance for animal cruelty they made the below post (see link below).
Below the post from the Solicitor General, we will show what the sentencing guidelines are as indicated in the PAWS Act.
Then below that we will look at the 3 cases, indicate the charge, whether it is a MAJOR or MINOR offence, the sentencing guidelines in relation to that charge and what penalty was ACTUALLY imposed.
The manner in which this province addresses animal cruelty from legislation/regulations/enforcement/justice is an absolute embarrassment.
Solicitor General Facebook Post:
Sentencing Guidelines under the PAWS Act:
MAJOR Offence:
- a fine of no more than $130,000 and/or
- imprisonment of up to 2 years
- OR BOTH
MINOR Offence:
- A fine of no more than $75,000 (if one charge) or $100,000 (if more than one charge) and/or
- imprisonment of up to 1 year
- OR BOTH
CASE 1 – Javana Soleil Bailey Wright-Morgan (Chatham)
- 1 MAJOR Offence
- Permitting an animal to be in distress
- 3 MINOR Offences
- Knowing providing false or misleading information to an animal welfare officer
- Failing to comply with prescribed Standards of Care (providing appropriate medical care)
PENALTY IMPOSED: Fined $2,500
CASE 2 – Brett Harrison (Thunder Bay)
- 2 MINOR Offences
- Failing to comply with prescribed Standards of Care (providing appropriate medical care)
- Failing to comply with an order
PENALTY IMPOSED: Fined $10,000
CASE 3 – Jeremy Beaudoin (Windsor)
- 2 MAJOR Offences
- 2 counts of Permitting an animal to be in distress
- 6 MINOR Offences
- 4 counts of Failure to comply with Prescribed Standards of Care by failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical care
- 1 count of Failing to comply with an order
- 1 count of Changing the custody of an animal that was subject to an order
PENALTY IMPOSED: Fined $8,000 (including a prohibited order to not own/care/live with animals, 5 yrs)