Toronto Humane Society charges dropped, dodgy search to blame
We’re beginning to see a pattern here: prominent person accused of serious charges, months spent in legal limbo, case against said person falls apart due to a suspicious search by authorities. First, it was Rahim Jaffer when he was pulled over for DUI. Now, it’s the Toronto Humane Society and its head Tim Trow, which have had all charges dropped against them based on a search executed by the OSPCA back in 2009. Yesterday, the Toronto Star ran down the list of errors the OSPCA made with their warrant.
One of the breaches, [Crown Attorney Christine McGoey] said, was the fact that the warrant contained no end date. The OSPCA said it was told by a justice of the peace that none was necessary.
Other breaches included the OSPCA’s supposedly improper use of a Criminal Code section to conduct veterinary checks; the overly wide scope of material seized, which included personnel records, payroll records, thank you letters and employees’ doctor’s notes; and the fact that the OSPCA invited the media into the THS while executing the warrant.
“The media’s presence for the arrest of several accused persons is also of concern,” she said.
Not exactly Briscoe and Logan.
The OSPCA says the Crown should have brought the charges before a judge and let the judge decide whether the search was properly executed or not. That actually makes the whole thing sound even sketchier, as they’re basically asking a Crown attorney to waste a judge’s time, something people who wear black robes for a living are loath to do.
None of the players come off looking good here. Let’s recap:
• The Crown didn’t bringing charges
• The OSPCA bungled the search (and let’s not forget the ringworm fiasco from earlier this year)
• The THS now has a black mark on its reputation that isn’t exactly erased by the phrase “charges dropped on a technicality”
• Why charges were dropped in Humane Society case [Toronto Star]
• Charges dropped against Toronto Humane Society, former president [Globe and Mail]
• OSPCA charges against THS dropped [Toronto Sun]
• Toronto Humane Society charges dropped [CBC News]
This is ridiculous. It is a Crown’s job to decide the whether or not to pursue charges in court. They “loath” to bring extremely high profile cases before a judge when none of the evidence to prosecute is admissible and therefore there is no case at all. Not only will everyone’s time and money be wasted, but they will lose their job and be a public laughing stock. Of course Tim Trow was guilty of maybe some of the litany of accusations they brought forward, they conducted a ridiculous and unethical search would would have made prosecution impossible. It’s not because he was ‘a prominent person’ it’s because there was no evidence that could stand up in a court of law. Although it would be nice if people could never get off on ‘technicalities’, it would also be a disaster and the legal system would cease to function.
The “new”THS is not allowed by OSPCA to take in strays or sick animals in Toronto. BUT they go out of the GTA to obtain THEIR strays. What’s wrong with this picture? It also is quite OK for OSPCA to kill animals infectec with ringworm (a VERY treatable problem) with no thought whatsoever….& OSPCA claims THS is cruel??? Instead of harrassing innocent people & needlessly killing animals perhaps the OSPCA could concentrate on puppy mills & REAL cruelty going on.
They have proved to be abusive in the power in Ontario they have way to much of………..
Laurie Overton, Toronto
Is that the same Laurie Overton that was a board member for Tim Trow? Trow was able to boast low euthanasia rates because animals that needed to be put down were not accepted and sent to Toronto Animal Services where they were euthanized. Many others died in cages at THS rather than being put out of their misery. I worked there, I saw it. Glad that the reign of error/terror is over.
I commend you on your article regarding the despicable behaviour of the OSPCA–the all for kill helpless animals society–as they are known for their lusty belief in killing all strays, the sick–and not allowing the THS to do what they have been known for under Tim’s determined hand to help those who are most unable to help themselves.
But we must do more. The OSPCA must be stopped from their power trip. The THS must be returned the power (and the proper leadership to resume being an actual animal Sanctuary–not a helpless bystander in the ruthless murder of innocent animals by the OSPCA. People with some conscience must get together to bring back to benevolence toward instead of arrogant indifference to animal life. The current situation is outrageous. Whatever has happened to Toronto the Good? There must be some of us left to unite and take action against OSPCA.
No, I did not say that. Please include the comment I made.