Chatham-Kent man barred from owning animals after convicted of PAWS violation

(File) A dog inside of an enclosure

A Chatham-Kent man has been barred from owning, having custody of, or caring for animals for two years following a court finding him guilty of caring for an animal under the (Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act.

The PAWS act is used to enforce animal welfare and safety.

On May 7, a court found him guilty of failing to comply with an order to follow a veterinarian’s recommendations for the care of an animal.

As of April 2025, Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services have issued more than 15,000 distress orders, laid over 1,800 charges for offences under PAWS, and removed 11,800 animals from situations of distress.