A Mississauga man is facing more than 130 charges after Peel Regional Police rescued nearly 60 kittens and eight cats in an animal cruelty investigation.
Investigation Details
Peel Regional Police said in a news release that they began a probe on April 1 after getting multiple reports involving kittens “in distressing conditions” being sold and later dying from their injuries “after being taken to their new homes.”
On April 23, officers from the 11 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau executed a search warrant in conjunction with Animal Welfare Services’ Major Incident Management Team.
Rescue and Charges
“During the execution of the search warrant, 57 kittens and eight adult cats were rescued and immediately transported to an animal rescue centre, where they received urgent veterinary care,” police said.
It’s not known how many kittens perished or how they were injured. The animals are now in the care and custody of the Mississauga animal shelter, where they will remain pending judicial outcome.
Police have charged Qiang Yu, 38, of Mississauga, with 134 charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals under the Criminal Code of Canada. Yu is being held pending a bail hearing.
No other animals remain outstanding, with authorities noting the rescued animals are now in the care of a Mississauga animal shelter.
Anyone with additional information about the case is urged to contact investigators at 905-435-2121, ext. 1133, or anonymously via Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at peelcrimestoppers.ca.
