More charges laid against animal rescue group owner

Windsor/Essex County Humane Society officers have laid more charges against the woman in charge of Royals Animal Rescue Service.

Nine dogs have been seized by the humane society and are being held under a court order.

The woman, previously charged with five offences, has had three additional charges laid against her relating to the care of nine dogs. She has been charged with failing to provide adequate and appropriate food and water, failing to provide adequate and appropriate sanitary conditions and ventilation and failing to comply with orders issued under the Ontario SPCA Act. 

When the first charges were filed in early June, executive director Melanie Coulter said it was part of an ongoing investigation.

"There are multiple prongs to the investigation," said Coulter at the time. "We investigate every complaint as it comes in. The animal welfare laws don't cover every situation ... sometimes our hands are tied."

On June 14, the animal rescue organization responded to backlash on Facebook, and said they were working cooperatively with the humane society.

"We all want the same thing," the post said. 

The animal rescue did not respond to CBC's request for an interview.

Coulter said when the dogs were moved from the rescue group's care, there were no other animals in their possession at that time — but until a conviction is decided in court, the law does not prevent the person charged with caring for other animals.