Toronto 'Humane' Society officials in a spot of trouble

[Idle Mind]

Official calls animal shelter 'house of horrors;' reports finding mummified cat.

TORONTO - A mummified cat was found at the Toronto Humane Society on Friday, a day after the society's president and four others were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, animal welfare officers said.

The report of the grisly discovery at the downtown shelter - described by one official as a "house of horrors" - came just minutes before a planned tour for reporters was set to begin. It added a macabre twist to a case that could ignite public debate over the care of sick and injured animals and when they should be put down.

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None of the allegations against them have been proven in court. A person who answered the phone at Trow's home Friday morning said Trow would be meeting with lawyers all day.

So, when is it appropriate to euthanize an animal that is hospitalized and in extended care? The Toronto Humane Society (THS) promises to "never euthanize animals based on space constraints or because the animal has been here too long." Is that an acceptable approach?

They are also claiming that the investigation of the facility is politically charged, since the THS and the local SPCA do not see eye to eye on certain issues, including euthanasia of sick and injured animals. In fact, once the Ontario SPCA (OSPCA) took control of the facility, several animals were euthanized that same day.

But obviously if there are reports of horrific sights within the facility, are they truly capable of caring for all the animals they have there?