Humane Society files charges after pet shop animals seized

EDMONTON A Sherwood Park man is facing charges after 500 animals, including small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and spiders, were seized in February in one of the Edmonton Humane Society’s largest seizures to date.

On Feb. 27, society staff seized guinea pigs, hamsters, lizards, crabs, fish, spiders, birds, frogs, and other animals from the My Pet store at West Edmonton Mall after receiving a report they had been abandoned.

A Monday news release issued by the society said Michaw Menan Tom is charged with one count of abandoning animals and one count of permitting or causing an animal to be in distress under the Animal Protection Act (APA). The charges were filed on Aug. 23.

Tom is expected to appear in court this fall.