BulletinMinistry of the Solicitor GeneralPublished: July 17, 2026

Person convicted in Stratford for causing an animal to be in distress

On June 11, 2026, Chris Whetham was fined $100 and banned from owning or living with animals for five years after a PAWS Act conviction.

Published

July 17, 2026

Source

Ministry of the Solicitor General

Release type

Bulletin

External ID

1007765

Summary

What happened

On June 11, 2026, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford, Chris Whetham was found guilty under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act) of causing an animal to be in distress (section 15(2)) and failing to comply with an order.
Sentence: a $100 fine and a five-year prohibition on owning, having custody of, or residing with any animal.

Why it matters

The conviction shows use of the PAWS Act enforcement tools to address animal cruelty.
The release repeats how to report animal distress: call the animal welfare hotline at 1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625).

Context and counts from the release

PAWS Act effective date: January 1, 2020.
As of May 2026: more than 18,700 distress orders issued, over 2,500 charges laid under the PAWS Act, and over 15,700 animals removed from distressing situations.