Ontario Court Convicts Individuals of Animal Welfare Offences

Two individuals have been convicted of offences under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 (PAWS Act).

On June 12, 2026, in the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay, Kayla Boucher and Mario Corderio were found guilty of:

• Permitting an animal to be in distress contrary to section 15(2)
• Two counts of failing to comply with prescribed standards of care contrary to section 13(1)
• Failing to comply with an order contrary to section 30(4)

Boucher and Corderio were each fined $3,750 and are prohibited from owning, having custody or care of, or living with any animal for five years.

Cruelty to any animal is not tolerated in Ontario. If you think any animal is in distress or being abused, call 1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625).

• The PAWS Act came into effect January 1, 2020, making Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement a full provincial animal welfare enforcement system to enhance animal safety.
• As of June 2026, Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services issued more than 18,900 distress orders, laid over 2,500 charges for offences under the PAWS Act and removed over 15,900 animals from situations of distress negatively impacting their welfare.