The Ontario Court of Appeal has reversed the decision made by Justice Rivard and found Rob Szalas in contempt of court for failing to surrender his dog, Dunaj.
The Court of Appeal ruled that Justice Rivard erred at law in his decision, says a news release from the North Bay Health Unit.
The Court also ordered Szalas to pay $1,500 to the Health Unit for the costs of the appeal. Court costs to the taxpayer for the Health Unit to pursue the case are now believed to top $30,000.
There will be a Superior Court hearing with a local judge in North Bay at a future date.
At that time the court will determine the penalty.
The Health Unit replied to a request from BayToday to interview Medical Officer of Health Jim Chirico on the case but came with the condition that all our questions would have to be submitted in advance for approval. We feel such a condition is not in the true spirit of informing the public and so was turned down.
Read the publicly released Court of Appeal of Ontario decision
Past news releases related to this case, are available on the website at myhealthunit.ca.
See related story: Dunai owner will face court action says Health Unit.
