A southern Ontario man is facing more than 130 charges after police rescued nearly 60 kittens and eight cats from a Mississauga residence during an investigation into suspected animal cruelty.
The investigation began April 1 when Peel Regional Police received information from Animal Welfare Services concerning kittens that were allegedly sold in “distressing conditions” and were dying from injuries after being taken to their new homes, police said in a May 17 press release.
Investigators executed a search warrant in collaboration with Animal Welfare Services inspectors on April 23, leading to the arrest of one suspect, Peel police said.
Fifty-seven kittens and eight adult cats were rescued and transported to an animal rescue centre, where police said the animals received “urgent veterinary care.”
“The animals are now in the care and custody of the Mississauga animal shelter, where they will remain pending judicial outcome,” police said, adding that all animals are now accounted for.
Thirty-eight-year-old Qiang Yu from Mississauga was arrested and charged with 134 counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Police said Yu was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the 11 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau or Peel Crime Stoppers.
Protection Laws
Animals in Ontario are also protected under the PAWS Act, which came into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, establishing Ontario as the first region in Canada to introduce a comprehensive provincial animal welfare enforcement system aimed at improving animal safety.
Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services has rescued more than 15,300 animals from distressing situations and has issued in excess of 18,300 distress orders, while also laying more than 2,400 charges for violations of the PAWS Act as of March 2026.
Two people from Windsor were convicted under the PAWS Act in February.
Sandra Marontate and William Lucas were found guilty in an Ontario court of permitting an animal to be in distress, exposing an animal to undue risk of distress, five counts of failing to comply with prescribed standards of care, and failing to comply with an order contrary to the PAWS Act.
Marontate and Lucas received fines of $1,000 each and are permanently prohibited from owning or caring for any animals.
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