Sudbury animal abandonment case: Ontario SPCA responds

The OntarioSociety for thePreventionofCruelty to Animalsis responding to criticismover an apparent case of animal abandonment in Sudbury, saying they stepped inonceadditional information was made known and it becameclear that they had theauthority to step in.

• Handling of northern Ontario animal abandonment case concerns rescuers

Last week, three cats, 11 newborn kittens and a rabbit were discovered in a downtown apartment.The animals were left behind by a tenant who moved out of the building.

The animals were then taken in by volunteer rescuers, who said they were told by the OSPCAthat the issuewas a landlord-tenant matter.

But the OSPCA said later in a statement that a break-and-enter happened during their investigation into the matter and the animals were stolen.

Lynn Michaud, the OSPCA's senior inspector for northern Ontario,told CBC Newsthat the first call made about the case didfall underspecific rules.

"Animals are considered property," she said. "That's where the Residential Tenancies Act comes in."

She said theorganizationintervened, once a follow-up call made the next day provided more details. She wouldn't elaborate on the matter because the investigation is still ongoing.

Determining authority

However, Michaud said the OSPCA can intervene in a situation where there are concerns for thewell-being of ananimal, when it comes to a lack ofmedical help, food and water.

"Everything we do is governed by the distress of an animal. If we cannot clarify that there's distress, then we have no authority."

Michaud also said theOSPCAmust follow a strict process when a case of animal abandonment is reported.

"Our first form of investigation is to always to try and make contact so we can address the concerns. And only when that's not feasibledo we seek a warrant to become more intrusive," she said.

"We absolutely do care, and the well-being of those animals is always first and foremost in our minds. But, we are guided and governed by the legislation and we have to adhere to that."

Michaudsaid no charges have been laid as the investigation is still in its early stages.