US EditionOntario failed to collect nearly $10M owed by alleged animal abusers: documents
The Ministry of Finance has recovered just 10% of charges since 2019, and new collection powers took effect in February to improve recovery.
- Ontario has failed to collect more than 90 per cent of $10,633,241 in animal care costs charged since 2019, leaving more than $9 million owed by alleged animal abusers whose pets were seized by Animal Welfare Services.
- Humane Initiative president Donna Power filed freedom-of-information requests last year to investigate provincial enforcement practices, uncovering that only 9 or 10 per cent of bills are being collected.
- Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and interim Liberal leader John Fraser criticized the government, with Schreiner arguing the collection failure signals the province is "not serious about enforcing animal protection laws."
- Solicitor General Michael Kerzner defended provincial animal welfare inspectors as "committed people that have a passion of protecting our animals," saying he would "look into that" regarding the uncollected millions.
- Effective February, the Ministry gained authority to use liens, warrants, and garnishments to recover outstanding accounts; bills unpaid after 180 days may be referred to private collection agencies.
28 Articles
28 Articles
The Toronto Star
Ontario failed to collect nearly $10M owed by alleged animal abusers: documents
Since 2019, the province has charged owners a total of $10,633,241 for care of animals seized by Animal Welfare Services, documents show. But the Ministry of Finance has only collected
Ontario failed to collect nearly $10M owed by alleged animal abusers: documents – 105.9 The Region
TORONTO — Ontario has failed to collect more than 90 per cent of money owed by alleged animal abusers whose pets, livestock or menagerie were seized during investigations, The Canadian Press has learned. Since 2019, the province has charged owners money to care for animals seized by Animal Welfare Services to the tune of $10,633,241, documents obtained by an animal advocacy group through freedom-of-information laws show. But the Ministry of Fina…
Ontario fails to collect millions in animal abuse costs
Ontario has failed to collect more than 90 per cent of money owed by alleged animal abusers whose pets, livestock or menagerie were seized during investigations, The Canadian Press has learned. Since 2019, the province has charged owners money to care for animals seized by Animal Welfare Services to the tune of $10,633,241, documents obtained by an animal advocacy group through freedom-of-information laws show. But the Ministry of Finance has on…
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