A THIRD EMAIL CAMPAIGN IS NOW LIVE
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’)
NEED A QUICK OVERVIEW? CLICK THE PLUS SIGN TO THE RIGHT.
A neighbourhood in shock is demanding answers after a lost Rottweiler died during an interaction with Aurora Animal Services on May 4th, 2026.
What began as a routine call to pick up two stray dogs ended in a scene witnesses describe as traumatic and deeply disturbing. Earlier in the day, reports were made about two dogs running at large. Community members were able to safely secure both dogs on private property.
Witnesses state the dogs were friendly, calm, leashed, provided water, and showed no obvious signs of aggression while waiting for Animal Services to arrive. (Video available here shows the same.)
When Animal Services attended, one officer loaded the German Shorthaired Pointer into a truck enclosure. Witnesses report that after the dogs were separated, the Rottweiler, named Heiniu became visibly distressed.
Witnesses who are willing to go on the record – allege that what followed was an approximately two-hour struggle involving catch poles with “metal noose-like” restraints while numerous bystanders pleaded with Animal Control officers to stop.
Several witnesses report observing the dog in severe distress, struggling intensely for a prolonged period. Heiniu’s body was transported to an emergency vet clinic by Animal Control/Services officers and the initial vet report states: “Lacerations around neck from leash being imbedded into skin”. Again, the ‘leashed’ used by Animal Control officers were metal ‘nooses’ on the ends of two catch poles.
The incident ended with the death of Heiniu, a Rottweiler.
This was not an accident.
More details here.
SCROLL DOWN to send a done-for-you email.
TO SEND THE DONE-FOR-YOU EMAIL…
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.
DEMAND FOR APPROPRIATE CHARGES - DEATH OF HEINIU
Add your voice. Complete the form below to send a letter demanding accountability, transparency and appropriate enforcement of the law in the death of Heiniu.
Premier Doug Ford
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner
Chief Animal Welfare Inspector Melanie Milczynski
Attorney General Doug Downey
Chief Paulo Da Silva, York Regional Police
York Regional Police
Mayor Tom Mrakas
Aurora Town Council
Aurora Chief Administrative Officer Doug Nadorozny
East Gwillimbury Council
Georgina Council
Mayor Margaret Quirk
Dan Kuzmyk — Regional Solicitor, York Region
Your Information
Your Letter
Clicking SEND MY LETTER will open your email program with the recipients, subject and letter prepared for you. Please review the email before sending.
We are 100% volunteer & crowdfunded.
0% goes towards salaries. Yes, ZERO.
HAVING TROUBLE SENDING THE LETTER?
Copy the letter below and paste it into a new email.
Use the subject line and recipient email addresses below.
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.
SEND YOUR EMAIL TO…
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.
BOUVRY HORSE SLAUGHTER PLANT CLOSED
SIGNS OF CHANGE BUT THE FIGHT IS NOT OVERThere are signs that Canada’s horse slaughter industry is shifting—and not a moment too soon. But while one door may be closing, others remain wide open. Here's what we know right now: 1. Bouvry’s (Horse) Slaughter Plant in...
STEPHANIE REDLICK QUEBEC CONNECTION
JULY 2026: HOW IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN?THE HORSE IN THE PICTURE ABOVE HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED BY AWSFirst - a little history when it comes to Animal Welfare Services and their dealings with Stephanie Redlick -- who is currently facing multiple animal neglect related...
SKINNY HORSE ADVERTISED BY AUCTION MART
SOMEONE SHOULD DO SOMETHING - RIGHT? When a photograph of a very thin mare appeared in an advertisement for an Ontario auction recently, the reaction was immediate. People were heartbroken. People were angry. Many commented that "someone should do something."...
HORSES SLAUGHTERED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
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.
JOIN ACTOR KATE DRUMMOND &
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD
