We request that the Integrity Commissioner for St. Catharines Ontario investigate the actions of Kevin Strooband, Executive Director of Lincoln County Humane Society and St. Catharines City Councillor Joe Kushner, for their possible abuse of power and conflict of interest involving the recent seizure of an American Alsatian dog named Rocky being held at Lincoln County Humane Society.

Notwithstanding two prior claims when provoked, Rocky was tethered on his own front porch when Mr. Kushner approached the house and attempted to drop off a flyer supporting his election campaign.  He claims not to have seen Rocky despite Rocky being a very visible 170 pound American Alsatian dog. Had Mr. Kushner not breached his territory or startled/disturbed him, it would have been impossible for Rocky to reach Mr. Kushner because of the length of his tether. It is inconceivable why anyone would approach a large resting unknown dog. While Rocky knocked Mr. Kushner over, he did not maul nor seriously injure him. Rocky is a sweet elderly 10 year old dog who suffers from hypothyroidism and has mobility issues. He is owned by responsible tax paying citizens, who have had Rocky since he was 7 weeks old and take ownership, of having a large animal, very seriously. They do so, at all times, with particular consideration for the safety of those who may come into contact with their dog.

Mr. Strooband has unjustifiably declared Rocky to be a vicious dog. He has done interviews, a media release and presented changing and erroneous information to the public about Rocky's temperament and history. While Rocky's owners have co-operated at every level in an attempt to rectify the situation and work with Mr. Strooband, they have been ignored. We now understand it is Mr. Stroobands intention to have Rocky killed.

We further believe that Kevin Strooband, without the authority to do so, signed a warrant under the Ontario Dog Owners Liability Act. This needs to be verified by the Ontario Crown Attorney responsible for DOLA. Mr. Strooband is the sole proprietor of Niagara Region Animal Services, a for profit business offshoot of the Lincoln County Humane Society, using LCHS fascilities to run his service. As such, it is our collective understanding he has no authority, under Ontario law, to issue Ontario warrants. Authority for determining such issues is a Provincial Government responsibility enforced by government inspectors under the Ontario Provincial Animal Welfare System Act (2019). While St. Catharines city council has authorized Mr. Strooband to enforce municipal animal bylaws, perhaps it is time to consider hiring unbiased enforcement officers.

Mr. Kushner, the complainant in the case, a member of St. Catharines City Council, authored the municipality's Vicious Dog Act and strenuously lobbied, in 2012, to maintain LCHS as kill shelter. It is our belief his bias against dogs is reflected in an exaggerated claim of being mauled and bitten by Rocky. In our opinion, had such an occurrence taken place with a 170 pound animal, a man of Mr. Kushners advanced age, stature and physique would have suffered extensive injuries and/or required hospitalization.

Mr. Kushner is also a long standing member on the Board of Directors for the Lincoln County Humane Society.

The appearance of abuse of power and conflict of interest is obvious and for those reasons, we ask this incident and those involved be investigated.

We request immediate steps be taken to release and return Rocky to his owners without penalty and all charges and fees, for Lincoln County Humane Society, waived.

PLEASE SEE ROCKY'S BITE HISTORY IN UPDATE