Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

12/19/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/19/2025 12:55

Ontario Court Convicts Individuals of Animal Welfare Offences

Share

Content

Two individuals have been convicted of offences under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 (PAWS Act). On May 28, 2025, in the Ontario Court of Justice in Temiskaming Shores, Karen Charlton and Ernest Charlton were found guilty of:

  • six counts of failure to comply with prescribed standards of care contrary to section 13(1)
  • permitting animals to be in distress contrary to section 15(2)

Charlton and Charlton were sentenced to two years probation and must notify Animal Welfare Services of any change of address. They were also ordered to allow Animal Welfare Services access to their property once a year.

Cruelty to any animal is not tolerated in Ontario. If you think any animal is in distress or being abused, call 1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625).

Quick Facts

  • The PAWS Act came into effect January 1, 2020, making Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement a full provincial animal welfare enforcement system to enhance animal safety.
  • As of November 30, 2025, Ontario's Animal Welfare Services issued more than 17,700 distress orders, laid over 2,200 charges for offences under the PAWS Act and removed over 14,500 animals from situations of distress negatively impacting their welfare.

Related Topics

Courts, justice and law

Ontario's laws and related information about our legal system, emergency services, the Ontario Provincial Police and victim services. Learn more

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care published this content on December 19, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 19, 2025 at 18:55 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]