On October 29, through the course of an investigation the Oakville & Milton Humane Society charged Milton resident Paula Arruda with 3 counts of animal cruelty under the OSPCA Act.
1. Permit Distress
2. Fail to provide adequate and appropriate water
3. Fail to provide protection from the elements including harmful temperatures
The charges stem from an investigation on the part of the Oakville & Milton Humane Society which began with an anonymous tip from a member of the public regarding a female dog with a litter of puppies on a property in Oakville. The tip also included concerns for the mom of the dogs as it appeared that her ears had been cut/cropped with scissors and not by a veterinarian.
On October 17, 2014, OMHS Animal Protective Services Manager and OSPCA Agent Mackasey and OMHS APS Officer and OSPCA Agent Jones attended the address 1141 Burnhamthorpe Road East in Oakville to investigate concerns for a mom and puppies living in unsanitary conditions outdoors and to assess the condition of the mom dog’s ears.
One of six puppies brought to the OMHS on October 17, 2014One of six puppies brought to the OMHS on October 17, 2014
Officers Mackasey and Jones were immediately concerned for the welfare of the Mom and her puppies. The dogs were left to stand outside in their own urine and feces with inadequate shelter and no water. The Mom dog was tied by chain to the outside of the puppies enclosure but she had no access to the puppies. Due to the conditions of the property and the dogs all 7 dogs were removed under authority of the OSPCA Act and transported back to OMHS for triage and veterinarian exam. Upon return to the Oakville & Milton Humane Society, the dogs were examined by a local veterinarian.
“We were concerned about the condition of the Mom dogs ears, they appeared to have been hand cut with scissors rather than professionally and humanely cropped by a veterinarian” said Officer Mackasey.
The veterinarian confirmed that the ears had not been professionally cropped and had not healed, causing the dog great pain.
“We are seeking the public’s help in locating the person or persons who performed the cutting of the Mom dog’s ears,” said Mackasey. “We have information that leads us to
believe this individual is a male approximately 25 years old named “John” that resides in Toronto who is Portuguese decent.”
Anyone with information regarding this case may call the Oakville & Milton Humane
Society’s anonymous Anti-Cruelty tip line at 905-845-1551 ext 31 where confidentiality is guaranteed, or CrimeStoppers Halton www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or 905-825-8477.
The Mom dog and puppies remain in the care of the Oakville & Milton Humane Society.
Ms. Arruda is scheduled to attend Burlington Provincial Courthouse on November 25, 2014 at 1:30