Crowd rallies for suspended Toronto animal cruelty officer
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 | 2:41 PM ET
CBC News
Dozens of demonstrators rallied in front of the Toronto Humane Society's offices on Wednesday for the reinstatement of an animal cruelty officer who rescued a Rottweiler from a sweltering SUV and handcuffed the animal's owner to the vehicle's door.
Last week, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals suspended Tre Smith, the Humane Society's lead investigator, for the alleged incident on July 31.
On that day, Smith rushed to save Cyrus, who had been sealed in the parked SUV that was roasting with an internal temperature nearing 70 C. Smith smashed the vehicle window to retrieve Cyrus, and with the help of bystanders began rehydrating and cooling down the animal.
When Cyrus's owner returned to his car, Smith handcuffed him to the vehicle and left him alone while Cyrus was taken away for treatment. It was during that time, the owner alleged, that the angry mob already gathered at the scene began beating him.
Police arrived later to find the man bleeding and still handcuffed to the vehicle.
'I don't know if I'm a poster boy'
Since Smith's suspension, there have been thousands of e-mail and internet messages calling for the 36-year-old, a former participant in the reality television show The Lofters, to be reinstated.
The suspension prompted Megan Ball, who did not know Smith, to set up a Facebook group supporting him, which now boasts more than 3,500 members.
At the rally, Smith said he's surprised at the mania that's erupted over his case.
"I don't know if I'm a poster boy for anything," he told CBC News. "I'm just an animal cruelty investigator that enjoys his job.
"It's unfortunate that it took Cyrus's pain and suffering for us to get here."
The dog has reportedly recovered well.
Supporters said they will take their message to the OSPCA offices in Newmarket.
The dog's owner, Paul Soderholm, is charged with cruelty to an animal and is scheduled to appear in court next month. If found guilty, he could face a $2,000 fine and six months in jail.
