Animal rights groups trying to intervene in alleged dogfighting euthanasia case

“We need to be there to argue on behalf of the dogs because the OSPCA, which usually does that, is trying to kill them and the defendants are accused of severe animal cruelty and dogfighting offences, so how can they act in the dogs best interest?” Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, said after the court hearing.

In documents filed with the court, Animal Justice said it has “credible evidence that the behavioural assessments done on the dogs, which are the foundation of the Crown’s case, are scientifically unreliable and do not show that the dogs should be killed.”

Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary, located in King City, Ont., also questions the “quality and accuracy” of the assessments and says in court documents that it has expertise in the rehabilitation of dogs.

John Nunziata, a lawyer representing Dog Tales, said his client is offering to cover all costs associated with the case and has experts in Florida willing to rehabilitate the dogs.

“It was a very positive day,” Nunziata said after the hearing. “I’m encouraged.”

Much of the arguments in court focused on whether the groups could intervene in the case.

The Crown is opposed to the groups’ intervention attempts, according to court documents, and said “there is no authority in this court” to allow the animal rights groups to intervene.

The justice of the peace reserved his decision, which could come some time in December, Labchuk and Nunziata said.

Ken Marley, the lawyer who represents the dogs’ owners, said his clients welcomed intervention by both Animal Justice and Dog Tales.

“Certainly having the expertise and resources of those organizations as well as additional voices in the courtroom opposing destruction of the dogs is important,” Marley said.

The owners — John Robert, Kim Thu Thi Robert and Michel Conrad Gagnon — have agreed in principle to transfer ownership of the animals to Dog Tales.

Those three, plus two others, face more than 300 animal cruelty and weapons-related charges. The criminal case has been severed from the euthanization application and remains in the early stages with a trial a long way off.

Jennifer Bluhm, the deputy chief of the OSPCA, says the 21 dogs in the case continue to show signs of aggressive behaviour, but seven other dogs that aren’t part of the euthanasia application are improving during rehabilitation. Three of the seized dogs have been put down for medical reasons.

“We have a responsibility to keep the public safe,” Bluhm said. “These dogs are bred to fight and trained to kill.”

Liam Casey, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Animal rights groups trying to intervene in alleged dogfighting euthanasia case

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