Heiniu died a horrific death. He lost his life at the hands of two Animal Control Officers employed by the town of Aurora.
Just learning about the tragic death of a dog at the hands of Animal Control officers? Click here for an overview of what happened.
Outraged and want to help make a difference? Click here to fill out a form and send a done for you email to elected officials and high ranking decision makers at Provincial Animal Welfare Services (AWS) who can bring about Justice for Heiniu.
WHERE ARE PROVINCIAL ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES (AWS) IN ALL OF THIS? WHY HAVE AWS NOT PRESSED CHARGES?
Eyewitness accounts, video and digital images along with the necropsy results clearly show a prolonged (nearly 2 hours long) campaign of excessive use of force (using catch poles) with Heiniu exhibiting extreme fatal distress that resulted in a friendly family dog losing his life.
BUT WERE THEIR ACTIONS A CRIME, AN OFFENCE OR AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT?
We believe the evidence shows that what was done to Heiniu was not an accident. It was the result of wilful prolonged excessive force inflicted upon an animal to the point of death on the scene. It was a crime.
We believe York Regional Police should be investigating this as a criminal offence under Statute 445.1
But because Provincial Animal Welfare Services (AWS) was also called, the police deferred to them.
ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS AND CHARGING:
The PAWS Act or Criminal Code.
- The PAWS Act
The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General is responsible for the province’s animal welfare system. It oversees the administration of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) program and is responsible for enforcing the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 – known as the PAWS Act.
Under the PAWS Act, an offence is any act or omission that violates a provision of the Act that has been designated as an offence. The Act divides offences into MINOR offences and MAJOR offences, with more severe penalties for major offences.
PAWS Act charges are filed under the Provincial Offences Act and are adjudicated in the Ontario Court of Justice.
Two examples of MAJOR Provincial Offence Act offences:
- Causing an animal to be in distress.
- Permitting an animal to be in distress.
- The Criminal Code of Canada – Sections 444 to 447
Key Criminal Offenses:
- Causing Injury or Death: Harming, killing, or poisoning cattle, dogs, birds, or other animals kept for a lawful purpose without a legal excuse.
- Unnecessary Pain and Suffering: Willfully causing or permitting unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to any animal or bird.
- Neglect and Abandonment: Failing to provide proper food, water, shelter, and care, or abandoning an animal in distress.
- Animal Fighting: Taking part in, training animals for, or promoting animal fighting or baiting events.
Statute 445.1 states:
Causing unnecessary suffering:
- 445.1(1) Every one commits an offence who
- (a) wilfully causes or, being the owner, wilfully permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird;
Unfortunately, Animal Welfare Services (AWS) does NOT have the authority to file criminal charges – only the police have that authority.
BUT, AWS could bring their investigation to the police asking them to see if the level of the offence reaches the threshold of criminality – but in our experience, AWS never does this.
When Humane Initiative pressed the Chief of AWS about this… she just kept stating it is not their policy.
Having said all that – at the very least…
Would anyone with any common sense not think that Animal Welfare Services would press charges under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) ACT — against both of the Aurora Animal Control Officers responsible for Heiniu’s death?
REMEMBER the PAWS ACT states:
- Causing an animal to be in distress.
- Permitting an animal to be in distress.
Heiniu was killed on May 4th, 2026 – today is July 30th, 2026.
To date ‘crickets’, NOTHING has been presented by the Town of Aurora, nothing by the business, Canine Foundations — hired to ‘investigate’ — and Animal Welfare Services who have statements from 5 witnesses AND the necropsy report, are still sitting on their hands, doing nothing that we can see.
JOIN US IN DEMANDING ACTION BE TAKEN BY
PREMIER DOUG FORD,
PROVINCIAL ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES, YORK REGIONAL POLICE, THE MAYORS AND TOWN COUNCILS OF AURORA, EAST GWILLIMBURY & GEORGINA
From the Blog
12 thoughts on “ARE AURORA ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS GUILTY OF ANIMAL CRUELTY – IN DEATH OF HEINIU?”
Time is up this has gone way too long without answers!
Killers of innocent animals should receive severe penalties.✊😡 Our tax dollars should protect animals—not pay those who kill them.😡
We as Aurora residence and tax payers deserve answers and transparency to what happened to Heniu on May 4, 2026. Transparency is necessary if we expect change so that this murder never happens again. What is the training for animal control emplyees, Are they taught animal anatomy and animal behaviour, are they trained in proper use of catch poles, What is the criteria needed to be employed as a animal control officer. What steps are being taken so this doesnt happen again. this could have been anyones dog but mostly we need justice for Heniu because he didn’t have a voice. He died because the animal control workers didnt acknowledge what they were doing was killing him . He died a agonizing scary fight and finally bled out on a kind strangers driveway surrounded by aggression from animal control and neighbours begging animal control to stop. I am disgusted and ashamed of the town of aurora especially the mayor Tom Marakas for his lack of responsibility and lack of transparency concerning Heinu. please help our community feel safe again. We have no agency to call if we need animal services. this is unacceptable.
We will be relentless in our endeavors to get justice for Heinus irresponsible killing!!!
No doubt they were cruel and did the wrong thing to the poor dog
Justice needs to be served
we need to do better. The death of Heiniu is an atrocity. step up and do something
Justice for Heiniu!
Justice for Heiniu
Justice and awareness! Accountability here!
Accountability for their actions!
We need to advocate for the helpless animals that don’t have a voice! This was a revolting act of cruelty. Justice now!!!
Charge the people accountable for this crime against an innocent dog