Media Release
July 2006
Pineridge Zoo cited one of Canada¹s worst
By Nina Van Lieshout
Times-Advocate Staff
GRAND BEND ‹ The Pineridge Zoo in Grand Bend
is still listed as one of the worst zoos in Canada by
the World Society of the Protection of Animals (WSPA).
The zoo which failed in the fall, has again made the
list after a follow-up visit by the WSPA June 17.
In an official two page complaint written by WSPA
campaign officer Melissa Tkachyk to the Ontario Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Ministry
of Natural Resources, the zoo is cited unfit for many
reasons including issues of both animal and public safety
which was demonstrated at the ring-tailed lemur exhibit.
The WSPA¹s complaint states "there was no
public stand-off barrier around the ring-tailed lemur
exhibit and the exhibit was unlocked."
It also says "there was a hole in the front of
the exhibit where the public would most likely congregate."
Other main issues in the complaint say exhibits were
of "simple construction and design, they are filthy,
unsafe and barren."
It also says "the tiger exhibit was particularly
poor" and the Pineridge Zoo has "no education
or conservation value."
An employee from the Pineridge Zoo declined to comment
on the WSPA official complaint but she did say that
"the SPCA was here a couple of weeks ago and we
got a clean bill of health."
OSPCA acting chief inspector Hugh Coghill says although
Pineridge Zoo did pass under the current legislation
he would not agree that they received a clean bill of
health.
"No, I resent that term," says Coghill.
Coghill says under the current legislation, which has
seen few changes to the Criminal Code section since
1873, it states that animals need shelter, food and
water but does not have any laws regarding the mental
state of the animal.
"Ontario has the worst animal cruelty laws in
Canada," says Coghill.
The SPCA found no grounds to charge the Pineridge Zoo
under the current laws, but says Coghill, "what
can I say? The laws stink."
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Media Release 
