Spot, went from covered in mange, emaciated, sleeping in a frozen abandoned building amongst garbage, and being a fear biter, to trusting Randy Ashworth according to the couple. Spot is one of the dogs seized by the OSPCA. The seizure is the subject of an appeal to the Animal Care Review Board. Submitted photo.
The threat of a deadline to come up with $104,000 to get back 70 seized dogs has come and gone, but the fate of the dogs is still not certain.
See previous story: OSPCA demanding $104,000 from pet rescue owners
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals sent a Trout Creek couple that runs a pet rescue farm, an updated bill last week, and part of the invoice states "may dispose of the animals without further notice" if not paid within five business days.
Rebecca Ashworth is now wondering if her dogs have been adopted out, or are even alive, and the OSPCA has refused to provide proof of the present state of the animals.
"Knowing some of the things the OSPCA has done in the past, such as selling 11 horses belonging to a Sault area couple before their case was concluded, and euthanizing all the cats seized from a Burlington woman before her hearing even started, what would you think as the owner of these dogs, and received a form stating this?", she told BayToday.
"I don't trust the OSPCA an inch, and don't believe for one second, that they wouldn't use this as an opportunity to disperse or dispose of our dogs, and state that we had been warned. Why would they use this form, and what would be the purpose of sending it via registered mail?", stated Ashworth.
See a copy of the invoice here.
"The dogs are still in our care," OSPCA Communications officer Alison Cross told BayToday. "I can't reveal their location to protect the safety of the dogs as well as the safety of the staff taking care of them. All of the dogs are still in our care, correct. One dog was euthanized earlier on a veterinary recommendation, but other than that all the other dogs remain in our care."
That dog was killed without the Ashworth's permission or knowledge.
See a slide show of all 71 dogs here.
But the society's chief inspector Connie Mallory, says it wasn't their intention to dispose of the dogs, despite what the form says.
"The Ashworth’s are aware that the Animal Care Review Board (ACRB) requested that the Ontario SPCA provide an up to date account related to the extensive medical needs and boarding costs of 71 dogs removed from their house. These needs are currently being paid for by the Society. The information provided at the request of the ACRB regarding costs of care, was not to be interpreted as a 'statement of account' for the Ashworth's. The Ashworth’s are also aware that each and every dog remains in the care of the North Bay Humane Society and the Ontario SPCA and that they are receiving excellent care and attention, as required under the Standards of Care of the Ontario SPCA Act. Once the Ashworth’s appealed the Removal Order, the Ontario SPCA could not, and did not seek to, transfer ownership of any of the dogs. The registered letter sent to the Ashworth’s contains standard form wording related to the rights and obligations of an animal owner."
Meanwhile, a petition has been started in defence of the Ashworths which has garnered almost 3,000 signature in two days
And the founder of an organization called Reform Advocates for Animal Welfare (RAAW), Lynn Perrier says she has started an email campaign (see below) to get Premier Kathleen Wynne to curb OSPCA powers.
SUBJECT: The Blood of the Ashworth Dogs Will Be On Your Hands
"OSPCA were unjustified in their seizure of 71 dogs from the farm of Randy & Rebecca Ashworth in Trout Creek, ON. Despite the case being appealed to the Animal Care Review Board, the second part to commence October 5, 2015, the Ashworths received a notice last week giving them 5 days to pay $104,746.66 or the dogs will be disposed of.
The five days is up tomorrow, Thursday, September 17, 2015.
Based on their past record, we fear OSPCA will manufacture a reason to "dispose" of the animals before the end of the hearings.
The Ashworths nor their lawyer have been given pictures, documentation or any assurances about the dogs, their location or condition.
I hold you personally responsible if any action is taken by OSPCA against these 70 dogs for any reason or if they are "disposed" of in any manner without due course of the law."
