TORONTO—Animal Justice has filed a formal misconduct complaint over the failure of Animal Welfare Services (AWS) to act following repeated reports to the agency concerning Boogie, a macaque monkey confined in a small cage at Bervie Zoo in Kincardine, Ontario. AWS is tasked with enforcing provincial animal protection laws.
Since 2022, Animal Justice investigations have documented Boogie showing severe signs of psychological distress, including pacing, spinning in circles, and biting herself. Despite filing multiple complaints with corroborating video evidence of continued distress, most recently in September, AWS has not acted to rescue Boogie from the roadside zoo.
As a result, Animal Justice has filed a complaint under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act) and is demanding AWS inspectors take immediate action to remove Boogie from these conditions and transfer her to a sanctuary where she can receive proper care.
AWS previously seized and removed a number of animals from Bervie Zoo in 2022 after they were found living in a barn that reeked of urine and feces. This includes a baboon named Bruno, who was given a new lease on life at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary. The renowned Ontario rescue has also offered to take Boogie in.
“Boogie has suffered for far too long in isolation at Bervie Zoo,” said Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director at Animal Justice. “Animal Welfare Services has repeatedly failed to fulfill its duty to protect her, despite clear evidence that she is engaging in troubling repetitive and self-harm behaviours. It’s time to give Boogie the care she urgently needs and deserves.”
“This misconduct complaint highlights not just the failure to enforce animal protection laws in Boogie’s case, but also the dismal legal regime in Ontario— a province where roadside zoos run rampant because zoos aren’t required to be licensed.”
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]
