The tragic events surrounding the abuse and neglect perpetrated by Katelyn Lidkea at Four Lucky Paws Animal Rescue (4LP) have shocked and horrified not just  our community in Peterborough, Ontario, but communities throughout our province As one of  the whistleblowers deeply affected by the appalling treatment these defenseless animals endured, I, Danielle Roberts, feel compelled to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. The dogs who suffered and died do not have a voice, and it is our responsibility to ensure justice is served.

Katelyn Lidkea was found guilty on August 1, 2025, of two counts of Permit Distress to an Animal under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act. The trial, focused on April 1–31, 2023, proved 26 puppies died in agony from parvovirus, pneumonia, dehydration, infections, and roundworms, denied veterinary care, their bodies stuffed in a freezer. Veterinarians testified to their horrific suffering—convulsions, foaming, struggling to breathe—over days, obvious to anyone who cared. Text messages showed Lidkea was informed of the suffering but refused to authorize veterinary care. Former volunteer Alison Casemore, who pleaded guilty, testified that Lidkea controlled funds and blocked care, claiming she couldn’t take sick animals to vets without Lidkea’s consent. Lidkea laughed callously in court and offered no defense, while her representative, Cory Savary, wasted court and prosecutor time arguing about a Form 11B he never filed, claiming deadlines infringed on his rights. I testified to counting 54 puppy carcasses in Casemore’s freezer, believing Lidkea hid some to cover her tracks, and I filmed a video of these carcasses to expose the cruelty, though it was not used in court.

This cruelty isn’t isolated. Animal Welfare Services (AWS) ignored complaints about 4LP since July 2022 for a year. Beyond the trial, Lidkea forged veterinary records to hide neglect, abandoned Lucille at Peterborough Humane Society in April 2024 while lying about theft, and left Hope, a German Shepherd, to fend for herself since August 2022, last seen September 2024 after Lidkea moved. Dogs like Morris ,who needed amputation but was refused pain meds and has since disappeared , or the 100's of other dogs  who  suffered and died without care. Shockingly, Lidkea still runs 4LP, posting dogs as recently as September 16, 2024,  and deleting comments updates of her guilty verdict as recent as August 3  2025 ,with over 24,000 social media followers, putting more animals at risk.

We, the signatories, demand justice for the 26 puppies, Lucille, Hope, Morris, Amy, and all animals harmed at 4LP. This level of cruelty cannot go unpunished. We demand the maximum punishment at Lidkea’s sentencing on August 20, 2025, including a lifetime ban on owning, living with, or being responsible for any animals, and restitution for AWS costs. We also demand an investigation into Criminal Code charges for systemic neglect and fraud, including forged veterinary records, abandonment, and refusal of care, to ensure jail time and set a precedent for Ontario. The PAWS Act lacks the teeth to deliver true justice, and Ontario’s lack of rescue oversight fails animals.

Furthermore, due to the severity of her actions and lack of empathy, we urge that Katelyn Lidkea be prohibited from working as a Personal Support Worker (PSW), as her behavior clearly shows she is unfit to care for vulnerable people. This petition also calls for the removal of 4LP’s active online presence, especially their Facebook page, to prevent further misinformation and deceit. We demand legislative reform to enforce oversight and accountability for animal rescues, ensuring atrocities like these are never repeated.

This petition is not just about seeking justice; it’s about sending a clear message that animal abuse will not be tolerated in Ontario, and those who exploit and profit from the guise of rescue must be held accountable. Throughout the court proceedings, over 100 community members virtually attended, and a May 25, 2023, protest led by me, Danielle Roberts, showed our community’s outrage.