OSPCA probes Papanack allegations

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has confirmed it is investigating allegations of animal cruelty at the Papanack Zoo.

“We understand and respect the public interest regarding this matter and, for that reason, we will provide all information that can be made public as the investigation proceeds,” the OSCPA said in a new release issued Wednesday.

The OSPCA has said there was no set timeline to complete the investigation. The investigation was launched after a video was released allegedly showing instances of animal abuse at the small zoo in Wendover, about 50 kilometres east of Ottawa.

A “whistleblower” was said to have made the video of events at the zoo in the summer of 2016.

A small group of demonstrators, including some members of the Ottawa Animal Defense League, protested in front of the Orléans office of the minister of community safety and correctional services on Monday, calling for stronger regulations.

On Thursday, the OSPCA said it “agrees” stronger legislation should be created in the short term “to ensure mandatory licensing of zoos and to ensure regulations are in place to provide the maximum protection and care for animals.”

The organization also said it believes zoos that exhibit animals solely for commercial gain are “an antiquated business model that must be stopped.”

It urged the government to implement: new or amended legislation to regulate Ontario zoos and prohibit zoos solely profiting from exhibiting animals; at least four Crown attorneys specializing in animal welfare matters; funding and resources for zoo facility inspections; and to make the provincial zoo and aquarium registry available on the government’s website.

The OSPCA offered its assistance and said Ontario municipalities should also “prohibit zoos that exist solely for commercial gain and prohibit private ownership of exotic wildlife.”