Return all dogs seized by OSPCA from the Ashworth Farm; Drop all fees and costs Strip the powers from Nicol Driscoll, Lynn Michaud and Jennifer Bluhm; Investigate all OSPCA agents involved in the unwarranted seizure
Return all dogs seized by OSPCA from the Ashworth Farm; Drop all fees and costs Strip the powers from Nicol Driscoll, Lynn Michaud and Jennifer Bluhm; Investigate all OSPCA agents involved in the unwarranted seizure
The Issue
Rebecca and Randy Ashworth have devoted most of their adult lives rescuing dogs. The seed was planted when Randy, who served proudly in the Canadian military for 22 years, brought back a little dog from overseas. Since then they have rescued and rehomed countless dogs, leading eventually to an international organization called Laika Fund for Street Dogs. They are respected by rescues and shelters in both Canada and abroad. Their home is on a beautiful 12 acre farm in Powassan Ontario. Inspections were always passed with authorities being complimentary about the work they did. They did everything right.
In May this year a new agent from the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) by the name of Nicol Driscoll arrived to inspect the farm. Unlike others before her, this woman was about to make their life a living hell. She had a problem with the number of dogs on the property. Rebecca acknowledged the numbers were too high and explained it was a temporary situation. They were organizing placement, for about half the dogs, to other homes or rescues who had agreed to take them. Driscoll left a list of orders including a request for a statement from their vet. All orders were complied with including the vet report, which was fully supportive of the work the Ashworths do. He addressed the large number of dogs and urged OSPCA to work with the Ashworths while they resolved the issue in the best interests of the dogs.
OSPCA Inspector Lynn Michaud wasn't satisfied with the vet report (a vet with 26 years of experience, 7 of those as a federal vet) and asked him to submit an additional report. He informed her that he was starting vacation and could not deal with this immediately. That was on July 10, 2015.
On July 13 OSPCA swept in and seized all the dogs, including the family pet, 14 year old Elsa, who was dying of cancer.
OSPCA spent the entire day at the farm and refused to let Randy feed or water the animals or attend to those who required daily medication. That included Angel a paralyzed dog, who dragged herself around resulting in further injuries, while Randy was forced to stand by helplessly. After running around chasing and terrorizing the animals, they left with all the dogs. Randy was beyond consolable. Rebecca, who was out of the country, got the shock of her life when she arrived home the next day.
There was a total of 71 dogs including family pets seized. Many had forever or foster homes to go to or rescues waiting to take them.
A subsequent appeal to the Animal Care Review Board resulted in a teleconference, with an ACRB adjudicator, OSPCA Lynn Michaud, OSPCA Jennifer Bluhm and Rebecca on July 24. OSPCA said they would work with Rebeccca and release some of the dogs. Later Bluhm informed them they changed their mind. They would not release any dogs until the Ashworths paid $16,000 to cover costs, board and medical care. The amount continues to escalate almost $700 daily.
Some dogs have medical problems all of which had been addressed. Despite having papers to prove up to date health care, OSPCA conducted medical tests again and added the charges to the bill. They have refused to let Rebecca take the dogs who have homes and are refusing to release any to other rescues and potential owners. Not until they get their money.
Until that time, the dogs are being held hostage.
While the Ashworths had a lot of dogs, they also have a 12 acre farm and the dogs were well looked after. These people took dogs others didn't want with deformities and scars, evidence of a horrific past. Dogs that had trust issues were lovingly being brought around to become pets. For them Randy and Rebecca's farm is paradise.
For OSPCA it is a cash grab.
Rebecca and Randy had hoped to have another summer with their precious sick Elsa. After holding her for 3 days, and with out notification to the family, OSPCA killed her.
The Provincial Liberal government have given OSPCA too much power and its being abused. They are notorious for being tyrants and bullies. This is not the first time we have seen OSPCA tyrannize and persecute innocent animal owners. Let's make it the last time.
Please sign the petition and share it with every animal lover you know. Let's stop the heartless reign of OSPCA in Ontario. Someone needs to.
If you want a better idea of what OSPCA is all about, please watch and share this video. It explains what we are up against. No graphic content.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9JKwmY1U9U
The Issue
Rebecca and Randy Ashworth have devoted most of their adult lives rescuing dogs. The seed was planted when Randy, who served proudly in the Canadian military for 22 years, brought back a little dog from overseas. Since then they have rescued and rehomed countless dogs, leading eventually to an international organization called Laika Fund for Street Dogs. They are respected by rescues and shelters in both Canada and abroad. Their home is on a beautiful 12 acre farm in Powassan Ontario. Inspections were always passed with authorities being complimentary about the work they did. They did everything right.
In May this year a new agent from the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) by the name of Nicol Driscoll arrived to inspect the farm. Unlike others before her, this woman was about to make their life a living hell. She had a problem with the number of dogs on the property. Rebecca acknowledged the numbers were too high and explained it was a temporary situation. They were organizing placement, for about half the dogs, to other homes or rescues who had agreed to take them. Driscoll left a list of orders including a request for a statement from their vet. All orders were complied with including the vet report, which was fully supportive of the work the Ashworths do. He addressed the large number of dogs and urged OSPCA to work with the Ashworths while they resolved the issue in the best interests of the dogs.
OSPCA Inspector Lynn Michaud wasn't satisfied with the vet report (a vet with 26 years of experience, 7 of those as a federal vet) and asked him to submit an additional report. He informed her that he was starting vacation and could not deal with this immediately. That was on July 10, 2015.
On July 13 OSPCA swept in and seized all the dogs, including the family pet, 14 year old Elsa, who was dying of cancer.
OSPCA spent the entire day at the farm and refused to let Randy feed or water the animals or attend to those who required daily medication. That included Angel a paralyzed dog, who dragged herself around resulting in further injuries, while Randy was forced to stand by helplessly. After running around chasing and terrorizing the animals, they left with all the dogs. Randy was beyond consolable. Rebecca, who was out of the country, got the shock of her life when she arrived home the next day.
There was a total of 71 dogs including family pets seized. Many had forever or foster homes to go to or rescues waiting to take them.
A subsequent appeal to the Animal Care Review Board resulted in a teleconference, with an ACRB adjudicator, OSPCA Lynn Michaud, OSPCA Jennifer Bluhm and Rebecca on July 24. OSPCA said they would work with Rebeccca and release some of the dogs. Later Bluhm informed them they changed their mind. They would not release any dogs until the Ashworths paid $16,000 to cover costs, board and medical care. The amount continues to escalate almost $700 daily.
Some dogs have medical problems all of which had been addressed. Despite having papers to prove up to date health care, OSPCA conducted medical tests again and added the charges to the bill. They have refused to let Rebecca take the dogs who have homes and are refusing to release any to other rescues and potential owners. Not until they get their money.
Until that time, the dogs are being held hostage.
While the Ashworths had a lot of dogs, they also have a 12 acre farm and the dogs were well looked after. These people took dogs others didn't want with deformities and scars, evidence of a horrific past. Dogs that had trust issues were lovingly being brought around to become pets. For them Randy and Rebecca's farm is paradise.
For OSPCA it is a cash grab.
Rebecca and Randy had hoped to have another summer with their precious sick Elsa. After holding her for 3 days, and with out notification to the family, OSPCA killed her.
The Provincial Liberal government have given OSPCA too much power and its being abused. They are notorious for being tyrants and bullies. This is not the first time we have seen OSPCA tyrannize and persecute innocent animal owners. Let's make it the last time.
Please sign the petition and share it with every animal lover you know. Let's stop the heartless reign of OSPCA in Ontario. Someone needs to.
If you want a better idea of what OSPCA is all about, please watch and share this video. It explains what we are up against. No graphic content.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9JKwmY1U9U
Petition Closed
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on August 1, 2015