BulletinMinistry of the Solicitor GeneralPublished: July 24, 2026
Valerie Dodge convicted for permitting animal distress; $5,000 fine and ban
A Chatham court found Valerie Dodge guilty under the PAWS Act, fined her $5,000 and barred her from having or caring for animals for 10 years.
Summary
What happened
- On June 16, 2026, the Ontario Court of Justice in Chatham found Valerie Dodge guilty of permitting an animal to be in distress under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act).
- The court ordered a $5,000 fine and a ban preventing Dodge from owning, having custody of, or living with any animal for 10 years.
By the numbers (from the release)
- PAWS Act effective: January 1, 2020.
- As of May 2026: more than 18,700 distress orders issued.
- As of May 2026: over 2,500 charges laid under the PAWS Act.
- As of May 2026: over 15,700 animals removed from situations harming their welfare.
Why it matters
- The conviction shows provincial enforcement of animal-welfare rules and can lead to fines and long-term bans on animal ownership.
- The release highlights the scale of PAWS Act activity across Ontario.
How to report animal distress
- If you think an animal is in distress or being abused, call 1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625).
Related links
Source: Ontario Newsroom