SPCA Raids Toronto Humane Society

Interesting, I would  have thought the Humane Society would be there to protect animals.  I will hold my judgment until the results of the investigation are published, but it doesn.t look good.

Thanks for bringing this to light. 

I must say that i'm not suprised with this it is'nt the the first time and probably wont be the last time that the toronto humaine society is in the spotlight personally i have been there looking  to adopt and i was very appalled at what i had saw so where is all this money going? it was dirty there were dogs all pits at the time that as soon as you went near the cages they would growl fleas jumping all over the place it was an experience that turned my stomach and decide to put adopting on hold

The Toronto Humane Society has been corrupt for years, especially since Tim Trow came on board.  A lot of incredibly caring and competent staff lost their jobs because of this poor decision.  It is about time someone stood up and took notice and finally took action.  We can now breath a sigh of relieve for these poor animals.

There was a similar problem about the ASPCA in New York state, that resulted in a shut down of that particular center.

It's awful that animals are cruelly treated. 

No justice for the animals,even if they try to bite back at the predators they are shot or killed in some way.I cant get ma head round this one Canada of all places.

Sad story.

I have on numerous occasions, toured the Toronto Humane Society and I have never seen any obviously sick or distressed animals other than in the clinic or quarantine room.  I have also never seen evidence of neglect of the animals or the cleanliness of their surroundings.

Yes the SPCA is investigating and they should investigate any complaints of animal abuse.  But people, please; what ever happened to innocent until proven guilty.  There are many people out there who are ready to condemn the actions of THS before the facts are in. 

There also appears to be many people out there who believe that all stray, sick, injured, feral or abandoned animals should be euthanized.  If euthanasia was legal for people, would they feel the same way - I wonder.  If an animal can be saved and live a healthy life, we owe it to them to try everything we can. 

As a society we are collectively responsible for the animals being there.  Too many people get a pet, do not spay or neuter it and still let it outside.  Frequently that female animal then gets pregnant or they just decide they really do not want a pet.  Then what do they do, some find it a new home, some turn to a humane society or a rescue group to find it a new home but too many just abandon it to fend for itself increasing the number of unwanted strays. 

And no - I do not work for the Toronto Humane Society

I'm a dog lover and it breaks my heart to hear animal cruelty.  There is no use blaming anybody at this point.  I'm waiting to hear what OSPCA findings are first.  I'm still a supporter of THS as of now but if they are proved guilty then I will stop all my donation immediately. 

And that there should be changes in policy and

I am hoping people suspend their judgement before a fuller investigation is conducted, including consideration of the vested interests of the OSPCA. There is a history to the relationship between THS and OPSCA. 

I hope the media also looks more carefully than the Globe did at the wider context and politics of the shelter and animal resue movement. Note that the OSPCA has a more aggressive policy on euthanasia than THS, resulting in many more animals being put down quickly. See the Sun's coverage today which would seem more balanced than the Globe's http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/torsun/090603/canada/dogfight_at_shelter

It's a conflict of interest for the OSPCA, a competitor and a main critic of the THS, to be investigating the THS. Why isn't any attention being directed to the OSPCA and their policy of "euthanizing" perfectly healthy animals due to their "time limit" policy? They are no better than Animal Services who "euthanize" on a weekly basis. Moreover, Animal Services has only two vets on their payroll for all the city pounds. All they know how to do is to "euthanize."

In the past five years, 30,000 dogs and cats have been killed at the City of Toronto pound.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090602/search_Humanesociety_090602/20090602/?hub=TorontoNewHome

The THS refuses to kill an animal that it considers healthy.

I can't beleive that people are so pasee about this abosolute blind investigation of the Toronto Humane Society animal cruelty allegations.  Anyone who works there should be charged and incarcerated for their actions against animals who can't defend themselves.  It is unbelievable that this hasn't come to light a long time ago.  Shame on those who worked their and didn't come forward.  I hope you who didn't come forward can live with yourselves after witnessing such and atrocity.  Damm you!!!!!

Why are we so darn ignorant and jumped to every conclusion before we get full details of the issues.  We tend to believe everything we see and hear on tv, newspapers, website..... whatever forms of media and get swayed and make judgements.  I am an animal lover and have been donating food, supplies and monthly $$$ contributions to the THS for the past 10 yrs.  If the story is true and there has been cruelty and mis-treatment to the animals, I will immediately stop all forms of donations to them.  But at this time, I will wait til I hear the whole story and will make my final decision.  Pls do not pre-judge as the only ones that will suffer will be the animals.

Stopping donations and adoptions and volunteering at the THS are not the answer. If these poor animals are bad off now .... what's going to happen if people stsrt holding back on donations?

It's not the animals fault. Tim Trow needs to go! The animals have suffered enough already, let's do something positive, and focus on finding homes for these poor souls, so they can get out of there, and out of the grip of Trow! 

The THS Mission statement is: "To promote the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering." Of course, they don't mention that when they do not have enough staff to help, which is very often, animals auffer and die slowly and painfully. But then again, that wouldn't work nearly as well for fundrainsing.

This is a problem of management. I have dealt with Tim Trow, Gary McKracken, and Laura Hendey. None of them accepted responsibility for their actions, they just act like victims of circumstance. It was an outrage. I appreciate that they deal with a lot but we are all responsible for the decisions we make and responsibilities we take on. If they can't handle it they should minimally be honest and clear with the public about what they can and can't do.

I think the whole place needs to be restaffed. As sad as it is the animals may even be better without it. Tim Trow isn't the only person causing harm. His attitude has clearly impacted the attitudes of management as well.

It's a very sad state of affairs. Very, very sad.