Ontario Court Convicts Individual of Animal Welfare Offences

An individual has been convicted of offences under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 (PAWS Act).

On August 24, 2026, in the Ontario Court of Justice in Welland, Carly Young was found guilty of:

• Causing an animal to be in distress contrary to section 15(1)
• Exposing an animal to an undue risk of distress contrary to section 15(3)
• Failing to comply with prescribed standards of care contrary to section 13(1)

Young was fined $7,000, sentenced to two years probation and is prohibited from owning, having custody or care of, or living with any animal for life.

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 July 2026, Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services issued more than 19,600 distress orders, laid over 2,500 charges for offences under the PAWS Act and removed over 18,500 animals from situations of distress negatively impacting their welfare.