Ontario euthanizes 84 raccoons and accuses rehab centre of mistreating animals
Global News
Ontario has euthanized 84 raccoons and laid dozens of charges against a wildlife rehabilitation centre it accuses of allowing animals to suffer with no real hope of recovery
Ontario has euthanized 84 raccoons and laid dozens of charges in its investigation of a wildlife rehabilitation centre it accuses of allowing animals to suffer with no real hope of recovery, the The Canadian Press has learned.
Mally’s Third Chance Raccoon Rescue in Kawartha Lakes, Ont., says it is outraged and wants accountability from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry over its handling of the animals.
The rescue, a non-profit, says it helps rehabilitate injured and orphaned raccoons and returns them to the wild once they are able.
Court documents show the owners of Mally’s, Derek Zavitsky and Barbara Zavitsky, face 18 counts and 23 counts, respectively, under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
“A total of 93 raccoons were seized, with six found dead on-site, three succumbing to severe disease and 84 humanely euthanized,” said Marcela Mayo, a spokeswoman with the ministry.
“All seized raccoons tested positive for canine distemper, with many displaying severe signs of the disease when MNRF took possession of them.”
The province also revoked Mally’s wildlife rehabilitator custodian licence.
Distemper is caused by a virus that is commonly found in wild raccoons and is fatal, usually killing animals in a matter of days or weeks.
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