The OSPCA says there is no expiry date on the Toronto Humane Society shelter search warrant. The OSPCA says there is no expiry date on the Toronto Humane Society shelter search warrant. (Canadian Press)

The Toronto Humane Society shelter will not reopen Tuesday and could be shuttered for "at least three weeks," according to the chief investigator for the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The OSCPA said Monday a justice of the peace ruled there was no expiry date on the search warrant granted to the animal welfare group to investigate conditions at the River Street building.

The Ontario SPCA, working with city police, raided the Toronto shelter last Thursday and said it found animals in such poor health that four of them had to be put down. Five senior officials were arrested and charged with animal cruelty.

The Toronto Humane Society had contended the OSPCA had no legal right to "maintain custody" of the facility past midnight. The society wanted to reopen the shelter Tuesday as originally planned.

Investigators said they found a mummified cat on the premises, which one OSPCA official described as a "house of horrors."

OSPCA lawyer Christopher Avery alleges the Toronto society is reluctant to euthanize sick or dying animals and blames management for dictating euthanasia policy without regard for the animals' best interests.

Animals assessed

Investigators remain at the building as they try to assess the condition of the animals still inside.

"Things are progressing well, but because there's so many animals in the building, it's going to take a fair amount of time to go through everything," said OSPCA chief investigator Kevin Strooband. "We could be here at least three weeks."

There are about 1,000 animals in the shelter. They were initially scheduled to be put up for adoption Tuesday.

Strooband added that his group wants to open the building "as soon as possible" but he could not say exactly when that would be.

Meanwhile, about 55 volunteers and employees who work at the shelter issued a statement in an attempt to distance themselves from the five officials who were arrested.

"We are pleased to be working with the Ontario SCPA and we do not feel threatened by their presence here. At first we were a little defensive but now we look forward to working together," said volunteer Laura Hendy as she read the statement to reporters Monday afternoon.

"We are morally guided and not political motivated. We are all here for the animals and not financially motivated at all."

The five senior officials charged were:

  • President Tim Trow.
  • General manager Gary McCracken.
  • Head veterinarian Dr. Steve Sheridan.
  • Supervisor Andy Bechtel.
  • Manager Romeo Bernadino.
With files from The Canadian Press