A judge has told the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to wrap up its investigation at the Toronto Humane Society offices by Dec. 29.
In the meantime, it can continue its investigation and care for the animals inside, the judge ruled Tuesday.
The society failed in its quest to have the judge quash the search warrant the OSPCA used to conduct a sweeping search of its
The OPSCA launched its raid on Nov. 26, arresting five senior staff at the society. Its investigators are still there, and there had been no firm end date in sight for the investigation.
"The OSPCA has effectively used the search warrant to seize control of the operations of the THS, and has repeatedly frustrated the ability of the THS to maintain its operations and business by denying THS employees access to essential THS records and computer systems," the THS alleged in documents filed in court, according to an excerpt cited by the Globe and Mail newspaper.
Its lawyers argued that the continuing search violated the Charter rights of society staff.
The humane society has argued the raid is a result of an acrimonious relationship with the OSPCA.
However, the OSPCA said they found numerous animals in distress and had to euthanize seven animals.
With the shelter closed for the investigation, the animals cannot be adopted by the public.
With a report from CTV Toronto's
