Dogs at centre of London, Ont., hospital testing controversy may be re-homed
Following an announcement that they would stop using dogs in medical research, St. Joseph’s Health Care London says it is working with another agency to potentially re-home the animals.
Last week, the hospital announced the immediate stop of use of dogs in medical research after public backlash over a report that claimed they were killing puppies for human heart research.
The report from the Investigative Journalism Bureau into researchers inside St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Lawson Research Institute initially prompted the hospital to defend its actions, writing in a statement that its research “adheres to the highest standards of, and is in compliance with, all scientific and ethics protocols.”
Soon after, however, the hospital released a statement that said following consultations with the province, it would immediately cease research studies involving dogs.
St. Joseph’s president and CEO, Roy Butler, said in a statement that they are working on a transition plan to minimize the impact on their researchers and their work.
“The dogs involved will remain in our facility under the care of animal care specialists while we work with the Animal Care Committee at Western (University) to explore opportunities for rehoming them,” Butler said.
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An annual report released by the Canadian Council on Animal Care in 2023 found that more than three million animals are being used in science by certified CCAC institutions. Of those animals, 16,000 are dogs. But laboratories are not required by law to report animal use, so animal rights advocates say that number is thought to be higher.
Butler emphasized that St. Joseph’s animal research testing was highly regulated and undertaken with compassion, respect and the highest standard of care, resulting in “major strides in cardiac care and treatment.”
“There is an ethical weight in involving animals in research, and we carry that responsibility seriously and with humility. Whenever we can make scientific discoveries without involving animals, we do,” Butler said.
While it is still unclear what the transition of the dogs will look like, the Beagle Alliance — which rehabilitates and re-homes former research animals — is pushing for the dogs to be put in their care.
“We have reached out to St. Joseph’s and kindly asked that the dogs be released to us, and Animal Justice has asked that dogs be released to us because we are the experts,” said the organization’s founder and executive director Lori Cohen.
The Beagle Alliance reports it has helped to move more than 100 dogs from research facilities into loving homes.
“We have a support system of coaching and training for our fosters, for the dogs in due time when they’re ready,” Cohen said.
Cohen said late Monday in an Instagram post they are in talks with the hospital and may be assisting them going forward. She says the dogs can be rehabilitated.
She says she still gets updates on former dogs they have rescued playing with a toy for the first time or learning to bark again, “becoming the dogs that we know them to be — family members and best friends.”
“These dogs are very forgiving, very resilient and teach us a lesson on how to move forward, how to forgive, how to leave the past behind, and they truly start decompressing and really forgive the very species who harm them.”
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Spirits maker Diageo will cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., early next year, as it shifts some bottling volume to the U.S., the company announced on Thursday.
The facility, which bottles Crown Royal products, will close in February in a move aimed at improving its North American supply chain.
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About 200 jobs will be affected.
“This was a difficult decision, but one that is crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network,” Marsha McIntosh, Diageo’s president of North America supply, said in a statement.
Diageo said it will engage with the community and find ways to support its employees through the transition, and work alongside Unifor to assist unionized workers.
The company said it will still maintain a “significant” footprint in Canada — including its headquarters and warehouse operations in the Greater Toronto Area, and bottling and distillation facilities in Manitoba and Quebec.
McIntosh added the company’s Crown Royal products will continue to be mashed, distilled and aged at its Canadian facilities.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Toronto police say a 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly striking two men with his car Wednesday evening.
Officers say they responded to reports of a collision in the area of Don Mills Road and Gateway Boulevard in the city’s North York neighbourhood just before 10:30 p.m.
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Police say two men got into an argument, leading to one man getting into his car and hitting the other man with it.
They say the man then put his car into reverse, striking a second man.
A man in his 50s was transported to hospital with serious injuries and the second man, in his 20s, had minor injuries.
Police say the suspect from Markham, Ont., faces several other charges as well, including two counts of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and dangerous driving.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
A court document shows a Lindsay, Ont., man facing charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment was carrying a crossbow when he was confronted by a tenant.
The resident, Jeremy David McDonald, is also facing assault charges in the incident on Aug. 18 — a fact that has generated widespread interest in the case.
Police information filed in court alleges that Michael Kyle Breen damaged a window and screen at McDonald’s home and carried a crossbow.
The court document says the 41-year-old Breen is charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.
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Police have said that Breen, who is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing next week, was already wanted for unrelated offences.
McDonald, the 44-year-old resident, was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after he allegedly “did endanger the life” of Breen.
Premier Doug Ford blasted the decision to charge the apartment resident, saying last week that it shows “something is broken.”
Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Kirk Robertson wrote in a statement Wednesday that he recognizes the incident has generated significant public interest and “emotional” responses, but called some of the reaction “unjust and inaccurate.”
Robertson wrote that individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property, but the law requires that any defensive action be proportionate to the threat faced.
“This means that while homeowners do have the right to protect themselves and their property, the use of force must be reasonable given the circumstances,” he wrote.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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