Five people were arrested at the Toronto Humane Society on Thursday.
Toronto Police and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) investigated the downtown shelter and the OSPCA also issued a search warrant for a private residence.
Five senior officials were taken into custody, including the organization's president.
The raid was a shock to even those who worked there.
"It was terrible," described volunteer Bev Mitchell.
"I came out and all I could smell was pepper spray."
Tim Trow, THS president, was charged with Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts), Cruelty to Animals (2 counts), and Obstruction of a Peace Officer (3 counts).
Gary McCracken, THS General Manager, will be charged with Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts), Cruelty to Animals, and Obstruction of a Peace Officer (3 counts).
Dr. Steve Sheridan, THS Head Veterinarian, will be charged with Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence and Cruelty to Animals.
Andy Bechtel will be charged with Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence (2 counts), Cruelty to Animals, and Obstruction of a Peace Officer (3 counts).
Romeo Bernadino will be charged with Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence (2 counts), Cruelty to Animals, and Obstruction of a Peace Officer (3 counts).
The five people mentioned, plus the entire THS Board of Directors, are also being charged with five counts of animal cruelty, a provincial offence under the Ontario SPCA Act.
The charges stem from an investigation that was launched in early 2009.
OSPCA lawyer Christopher Avery said
animals were living under terrible conditions.
"It's absolutely disease infested,"
Avery said. "The animals are left to catch horrible diseases and die in their
crates, based on the euthanasia policy."
Avery said animals were starving to
death and that during an investigation in June an officer lifted a cat and "the
skin came off in his hands."
THS employee Ian McConachie denied that animals were never put down.
"Animals are euthanized when it's the appropriate time. We don't allow animals to suffer in their cages, that's completely untrue," he said.
In June, protesters gathered in front of the embattled Toronto Humane Society calling for the resignation of the entire board.
The animal shelter is being investigated by the OSPCA over accusations it has allowed the unnecessary suffering of animals.
The shelter, located at 11 River St., cares for about 10,000 animals a year and stands by its commitment to euthanize only as a last resort.
With files from The Canadian Press.