A police officer leads Trevor Smith, right, away from the Toronto Humane Society's headquarters on Thursday. (CBC)

A prominent Toronto Humane Society staff member and an agent with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were arrested Thursday amid an investigation into the Toronto shelter.

Toronto police entered the society's headquarters on Thursday afternoon and emerged with Trevor (Tre) Smith, a former humane society investigator.

Smith will be charged with two counts of personating a peace officer and one count of perjury.

Smith wouldn't answer questions as he was led away by police.

He is alleged to have acted as an enforcement officer after June 2, when the provincial organization, commonly known as the OSPCA, suspended the humane society's affiliate status. Under the terms of that ruling, Smith was forbidden from acting as an enforcement officer for the humane society, although he was allowed to work for the organization in another capacity.

"It's alleged that [Smith] continued to engage in criminal investigations with respect to animal care, and continued his duties as an SPCA agent despite his status being suspended," said OSPCA lawyer Chris Avery.

The agency has been "aware of [Smith's activities] for a long time," he said.

Smith was the object of much media attention in June 2007, when the OSPCA suspended his investigator's licence after he rescued a Rottweiler from a sweltering SUV and handcuffed the animal's owner to the vehicle's door.

OSPCA won't rule out more arrests

Meanwhile, OSPCA agent Mark Beauchamp was arrested earlier Thursday morning. He will be charged with one count of obstruction of a peace officer. He is alleged to have tipped off humane society staff that OSPCA inspectors would be investigating the shelter in June.

"This was a disappointing use of the police power. I lay the blame for this at the feet of the OSPCA," humane society lawyer Frank Addario said in a statement.

"It is appalling that media arrived before the police. This is not a tactic that professional law enforcement use in Canada. It is American-style, publicity stunt that can damage reputations," he said, adding there was no need for "handcuffing or a perp walk" in front of media.

The OSPCA's investigation into the shelter is still ongoing, and the provincial body would not rule out future arrests in the coming weeks.

The humane society resumed animal adoptions this week after being closed by OSPCA officials following a Nov. 26 raid of the River Street headquarters. Society president Tim Trow and four senior staff members face charges of animal cruelty.

The OSPCA alleges that many of the animals were neglected, and dozens were left to die in their cages without proper care and nutrition.

The humane society has dismissed the charges, calling them politically motivated. There has been a long-running feud between the two animal-care organizations.