There's still no word on the status of two animal-rights groups and their involvement in the Tilbury dog euthanasia hearing.
Animal Justice and Dog Tales are seeking "intervenor status," ahead of the hearing next month. The fate of 21 pit bull-like dogs seized in Tilbury a year ago will be up for debate.
"In one way or another, Dog Tales will be involved in this case," says lawyer John Nunziata. "Even if we aren't given intervenor status, which I'm confident we will be, we'll still be giving evidence at the hearing."
The case's preliminary hearing took place earlier this month, and Nunziata says they've yet to hear a decision regarding the animal groups' status in the case. In the meantime, the matter is gaining more traction on the provincial stage.
Nunziata says Toronto-area MPP Cheri DiNovo will be asking hired investigator Mike Zimmerman to analyze how the OSPCA has handled the case. Two separate animal rights groups, Zoocheck Canada and Animal Alliance Canada, have hired Zimmerman to see whether the OSPCA has been transparent enough.
"[Zimmerman] was a senior person involved in drafting the [animal rights] legislation. He's made public comments to the effect that they're not being as transparent as they ought to be, that they're not discharging their mandate in the appropriate fashion," says Nunziata.
The euthanasia hearing will take place at the Chatham-Kent Provincial Offences Court on December 22.