Monika Rekola is a columnist with Village Media, a certified landscape designer, and a horticulturist dedicated to ecological stewardship. With a deep passion for gardening and sustainable living, she merges expertise with advocacy, championing environmental conservation, human rights, and animal welfare. Through her writing and design work, she inspires actionable change, fostering harmony between people, nature, and the landscapes they call home.

Contact Ms. Rekola at monika.rekola@gmail.com

Stephanie Redlick is scheduled to appear in person in CRIMINAL court on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

We are asking supporters to join us for a peaceful rally outside the Midland Courthouse to show that our community believes in accountability, transparency, and justice.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Please arrive no later than 9:00 a.m.

Midland Courthouse

605 Yonge Street
Midland, ON.

Court is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom T2.

Bring signs and stand with fellow advocates, as members of the public gather before the court proceedings begin.

Please help spread the word and encourage members of the press to attend.

Every year thousands of horses are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption, but you can help us ban horse slaughter in Canada and beyond.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada, and much of it is shipped to the European Union, and other markets, including Japan.

This barbaric practice is currently not legal in the United States, so horses from the United States are shipped to Canada, and to Mexico, to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air to Japan for slaughter, is far from humane.

LEARN MORE HERE <==

We are 100% volunteer & crowdfunded.

0% goes towards salaries. Yes, ZERO.

JULY 31, 2026: If you are on this post you are likely looking for a “done for you fill in the blank email form” — that sends a letter to elected officials and others who can bring about change — so that the death of Heiniu is not in vain. (SCROLL DOWN – SEE THE ‘CALL TO ACTION’)

1. Fill out the form BELOW.

2. Click “SEND MY LETTER”.

A pre-written email appears. You can send it as-is or personalize it if you wish.

Your own email program opens with the message addressed to those who can bring about change.

You simply press send within your regular email program.

——–

IF the form does not work for you — you can always scroll down further on the page for a “copy and paste” version of the letter and the email addresses to send it to.

Months have passed since Heiniu died during an interaction with Aurora animal control officers on May 4, 2026. I believe that every animal deserves equal protection under the law and that those entrusted with enforcing our laws must be held to the same standard of accountability expected of every citizen. I also believe many other citizens share this expectation.

The death of Heiniu has raised serious questions about the enforcement of animal welfare laws and public confidence in the institutions responsible for protecting animals.

Justice cannot depend on who owns the animal, who was involved, or whether those involved are government officials.

Animal welfare laws exist to protect animals equally. They must also be enforced equally.

If a private citizen were alleged to have caused the death of a dog under similar circumstances, the public would reasonably expect a thorough investigation and, where supported by the evidence, appropriate charges.

Why should this case be any different?

PROVINCIAL ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES HAS A DUTY TO ACT

Municipal animal control officers are not exempt from Ontario’s animal welfare laws.

Provincial Animal Welfare Services (AWS) has indicated that it is waiting for the Canine Foundations report. However, that review concerns municipal animal control training and protocols. It is not an investigation into whether offences were committed under Ontario’s Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.

A review of municipal training and protocols cannot replace—or delay—an independent Provincial Animal Welfare Services investigation into whether Heiniu was caused or permitted to be in distress and whether offences occurred.

The question for Canine Foundations is whether municipal training and protocols were appropriate. The question for Provincial Animal Welfare Services is whether Ontario’s animal welfare laws were violated. One cannot answer the other.

Under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act), offences are classified as minor or major. Examples of major offences include:

• Causing an animal to be in distress.
• Permitting an animal to be in distress.

Where the evidence supports an offence, Provincial Animal Welfare Services has the authority and responsibility to investigate and lay appropriate charges, regardless of who is involved.

CRIMINAL CODE RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition to provincial offences, Canada’s Criminal Code also protects animals.

Section 445.1(1) states:

“Every one commits an offence who wilfully causes or, being the owner, wilfully permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird.”

Where evidence may support a Criminal Code offence, Provincial Animal Welfare Services should immediately refer that evidence to the appropriate police service for investigation.

In this case, that includes York Regional Police.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

It is past time for action.

I call upon every public authority with responsibility in this matter to fulfill its legal obligations and demonstrate that no individual, public employee or government agency is above the law.

PROVINCIAL ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES

• Complete a thorough, impartial investigation into the death of Heiniu, independent of the Canine Foundations review.

• Publicly release the findings of that investigation.

• Lay appropriate charges under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act where supported by the evidence.

• Refer any evidence of potential Criminal Code offences to York Regional Police without delay.

YORK REGIONAL POLICE

• Review all evidence referred by Provincial Animal Welfare Services.

• Conduct an independent criminal investigation where supported by the evidence.

• Publicly advise the public when an investigation has concluded, to the extent permitted by law.

THE TOWN OF AURORA, THE TOWN OF EAST GWILLIMBURY AND THE TOWN OF GEORGINA

• Cooperate fully with all investigations.

• Preserve all reports, photographs, video recordings, body-worn camera footage, dispatch records, veterinary records and any other evidence relating to this incident.

• Publicly disclose what actions each municipality has taken, or will take, to ensure a tragedy like this does not happen again.

• Explain whether policies, procedures, training or operational practices have been reviewed or changed as a result of Heiniu’s death.

• Commit to implementing any additional measures necessary to improve the safety and welfare of animals and maintain public confidence in municipal animal services.

THE PREMIER OF ONTARIO AND THE SOLICITOR GENERAL

• Ensure Provincial Animal Welfare Services carries out its statutory duties independently and without favour.

• Ensure that enforcement of Ontario’s animal welfare laws is not delayed or made dependent upon the outcome of a municipal training and protocols review.

• Reaffirm that Ontario’s animal welfare laws apply equally to every person, every public official and every government agency.

• Restore public confidence in Ontario’s commitment to protecting animals through fair, impartial and consistent enforcement of the law.

Heiniu’s death demands answers, accountability and, where supported by the evidence, appropriate charges.

No one is above the law.

For Heiniu.

Premier Doug Ford
premier@ontario.ca

Michael Kerzner — Solicitor General of Ontario
Minister.solgen@ontario.ca

Melanie Milczynski — Chief Animal Welfare Inspector, Provincial Animal Welfare Services
Melanie.Milczynski@ontario.ca

Doug Downey — Attorney General of Ontario
attorneygeneral@ontario.ca

Chief Paulo Da Silva — York Regional Police
916@yrp.ca

York Regional Police
5820@yrp.ca

Mayor Tom Mrakas — Town of Aurora
tmrakas@aurora.ca

Aurora Town Council
allcouncillors@aurora.ca

Doug Nadorozny — Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Aurora
dnadorozny@aurora.ca

Town of East Gwillimbury — Clerk’s Office
clerks@eastgwillimbury.ca

Town of Georgina — Clerk’s Division
clerks@georgina.ca

Mayor Margaret Quirk — Town of Georgina
mquirk@georgina.ca

Dan Kuzmyk — York Region
Dan.Kuzmyk@york.ca

While we push for accountability, we’re also working to save lives — currently raising funds to support a group of draft cross horses in Ontario who would otherwise have gone to slaughter.  AND to save 4 horses in New Brunswick from being sold to a kill buyer.  Every dollar raised this month will go towards those two projects.

Every year thousands of horses are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption, but you can help us ban horse slaughter in Canada and beyond.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada, and much of it is shipped to the European Union, and other markets, including Japan.

This barbaric practice is currently not legal in the United States, so horses from the United States are shipped to Canada, and to Mexico, to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air to Japan for slaughter, is far from humane.

LEARN MORE HERE <==

We are 100% volunteer & crowdfunded.

0% goes towards salaries. Yes, ZERO.

Animal Welfare Services (AWS) knew.

Not in February 2025.

Not after a foal died.

Not after sixteen horses were removed from her so called care.

Not after Animal Welfare Services charges were laid for animal neglect.

Not after 2 sets of criminal charges in 2 jurisdictions were laid for theft and fraud.

AWS knew in December of 2024.

How was Redlick — already found non-compliant just weeks earlier — able to still have horses in her so-called care — in horrendous condition and living in inhumane conditions?

What would have happened if volunteers had not stepped in – what would have happened if there had NOT been a public outcry?

Remember she was found non compliant with requirements to improve the well-being of horses in her care and their living conditions on December 30th, 2024.  And the pictures above are from February 2025.

FAST FORWARD… 

Throughout June the OPP reportedly attended the property several more times after Redlick and her father returned despite the trespass notice.

Animal Welfare Services also — as reported by the property owner and neighbours — attended multiple times as June came to an end.

Late in June a Belgian mare gave birth to a mule colt – the colt ultimately died.

(Sound familiar? Remind you of another newborn in the so-called care of Redlick?)

Still NO orders were issued by Animal Welfare Services. 

The most common excuse we hear from those inside of Animal Welfare Services is:

There are not enough “equine savvy inspectors”.

Hello.

As someone said to us earlier today:  “Even a Kindergarten student can see that the horse is in desperate need of better care”.

AND do Inspectors not have cell phones with cameras?

Can they not take pictures to share with an equine savvy veterinarian?

After sending a deposit – but before sending the balance of the funds, that woman started to feel uncomfortable and wonder if she was being scammed — she then reported to us that she received an unsolicited phone call from Alexe, the owner of the riding school — assuring her that Stephanie Redlick was a good person and could be trusted.

Every year thousands of horses are routinely slaughtered in Canada, for human consumption, but you can help us ban horse slaughter in Canada and beyond.

Some of the meat is consumed in Canada, and much of it is shipped to the European Union, and other markets, including Japan.

This barbaric practice is currently not legal in the United States, so horses from the United States are shipped to Canada, and to Mexico, to be slaughtered.

In addition Canada allows for the transportation of live horses to Japan to be slaughtered for human consumption, and unfortunately the transportation of horses destined for slaughter within Canada, and by air to Japan for slaughter, is far from humane.

LEARN MORE HERE <==

We are 100% volunteer & crowdfunded.

0% goes towards salaries. Yes, ZERO.

Okay, so we are fully aware that purchasing horses from kill buyers or directly from First Nations bands is controversial.  Some rescues, organizations and individuals are NOT in favour of doing so.

The common objection from those opposed is that when you buy horses from kill buyers - or those First Nations' horses that are earmarked to be slaughtered for their meat - you are helping the kill buyers profit.

Our take is this...

Kill buyers are going to profit whether we buy a horse or horses from them, or not.

Kill buyers will sell the horses to the slaughter plant - either Bouvry in Alberta or (Bouvry is currently closed)  - Richelieu in Quebec - and kill buyers will profit from those sales.

The horses they sell for slaughter are going to go through the torture of being crammed in leg-breaking trucks, often in extreme temperatures and being transported to a slaughter plant -- and if they survive the trip -- they'll be slaughtered for their meat.

If we buy horses, they are spared that torture - and live.

Either way the kill buyer profits - that's why we negotiate the lowest prices we can (never more than what their meat would bring) and buy as many horses as we can.

We are often criticized as are those who have fostered horses with/for us.

Right now we have 6 generous individuals and in some cases families, each with the space on their properties -  and in their hearts -  to take in a few horses each.

Adding a few more horses to a herd of any size, especially when hay prices in western Canada are at an all-time high - and winter will be here before we know it -  is a huge undertaking.

Add in the fact that as mentioned above, critics of buying horses from kill buyers can be brutal with their social media comments and we fully understand why potential foster providers are hesitant and why some choose to remain anonymous.

THANK YOU to all who have stepped forward to help.

Interested in fostering? Please reach out - let's have a discussion to see if fostering would be a good fit for you or not.