WHAT DO YOU THINK?
When it comes to the unnecessary and tragic death of Rottweiler Heiniu on May 4th, 2026 — one statement from the Town of Aurora continues to stand out.
Patricia De Sario, the Town’s Director of Corporate Services, told Council:
When most people hear that a municipality is conducting a review into a tragic incident, there is an assumption that naturally follows. The review will be independent. The review will be unbiased. Right?
After all, what would be the purpose of commissioning a review if the person conducting it already has an existing relationship with those whose actions are being examined?
THE TOWN HIRED CANINE FOUNDATIONS…
However during recent interviews by Canine Foundations of witnesses…
Witnesses were told by Canine Foundations, (the company doing the review for the Town of Aurora) that Canine Foundations had likely provided training to Aurora Animal Services officers, including Hailey MacGillivray and Noemi Viszmeg.
Does that information not raise serious questions about whether Canine Foundations can reasonably be viewed as an independent reviewer?
If that is correct, then Canine Foundations is not an unrelated third party examining the actions of strangers.
Instead, it appears they may be reviewing the performance of individuals whom they themselves helped train – and could even be re-hired to retrain.
Is that not a conflict of interest?
And just as importantly will the public have confidence in the answer?
THERE IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT QUESTION
The Town stated it was co-operating with Provincial Animal Welfare Services (AWS).
Yet it appears that AWS is waiting for Canine Foundations to complete its report before taking further action.
If that is the case, why is a provincial oversight body relying on a report prepared by a consultant retained by the very municipality whose actions are under scrutiny?
Shouldn’t Provincial Animal Welfare Services conduct, its own independent investigation?
This isn’t about questioning Canine Foundations’ expertise. It’s about public confidence.
When a beloved dog dies during an interaction with municipal animal services, the public should never have to wonder whether the investigation is influenced by existing professional relationships or potential conflicts of interest.
The Town promised a review.
The public has every right to expect that review to be genuinely independent, free from both actual and perceived conflicts of interest, and capable of inspiring confidence in its conclusions.
DONE-FOR-YOU EMAIL
We’ve put together a very simple form that takes less than 2 minutes to fill out.
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When you do — it generates a done-for-you email that goes out to 8 different elected officials and high ranking government employees who can bring about change.
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