NDP MPP demands probe into dropped animal abuse charges
New Democrat MPP Wayne Gates is calling for an investigation into why the Crown dropped 16 animal cruelty charges against St. Catharines veterinarian Dr. Mahavir Rekhi.
“What we’d like to see really immediately is the attorney general (Yasir) Naqvi to reach out to the local OSPCA and talk to them and see what happened here and see what can be done,” said Gates, who represents Niagara Falls riding.
“At least come and see why people from all over Ontario, really across Canada — and quite frankly this thing has gone across the U.S. and around the world — (want to know) exactly what happened here,” he insisted. “I think it would be well worth his time to come and investigate it.”
Rekhi had been facing 16 charges of animal cruelty laid by the Ontario SPCA and Lincoln County Humane Society in June. They related to alleged abuse at his clinic in 2013.
The Ontario SPCA started its investigation after learning from the media that former employees of Rekhi’s clinic had graphic video which appears to show the vet punching and choking dogs and swinging a cat by a tail.
The Standard reported the Crown withdrew the charges last Friday because the OSPCA shouldn’t have investigated and gotten a warrant without a formal complaint.
Ontario attorney general spokesman Emilie Smith said in an email Tuesday that the charges were dropped because the Crown determined there “was no reasonable prospect of conviction.”
“After careful consideration, it was determined that a withdrawal of these charges was appropriate,” said Smith.
Rekhi had been found guilty of professional misconduct in August 2016 by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario. The college gave him a 10-month suspension (or six if he completed retraining ), and a $10,000 fine.
“They basically had no real power other than to suspend him for the period of time that they did and we believe that this is one of the things that government should be taking a look at,” said Gates.
Rekhi could not be reached for comment. His clinic is currently only open for three hours on Saturdays, according to the voicemail message and the website for Skyway Animal Hospital.