The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society will continue to fight for animals despite changes to who handles cruelty investigations in Ontario.
Earlier this year the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced its withdrawing from providing cruelty investigations. But the organization put a structure in place to allow enforcement through the government's authority until the province can develop a new Animal Welfare Act.
Executive Director Melanie Coulter says the humane society investigated nearly 900 incidents directly last year — and they will to continue to protect animals in distress.
"People can still continue to call us, call the humane society if they see any concerns in Windsor and Essex County," she says.
She tells AM800 News putting the burden on the police immediately would have challenges the humane society is used to facing every day.
"Investigations can be a challenge, especially when they're dealing with cases of neglect and animal welfare that they may not be as familiar with as our officers are," says Coulter. "While the new structure is put into place, we don't know exactly what it's going to be, but it will certainly give time to train whoever is going to be doing it and we'll make sure that animals aren't falling through the cracks in the meantime."
Coulter says the province intends to introduce new legislation by the fall, but the humane society is prepared to keep on top of things well into the new year if needed.
— with files from AM800's Rob Hindi