Ontario SPCA charges Marineland with 5 counts of animal cruelty

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has charged Marinelandwith five counts of animal cruelty after a complaint raisedconcerns about some of the animals' well-being at the Niagara Falls, Ont., amusement park, which features both marine and land animals.

Marineland is facing cruelty charges regardingthree kinds of animals a peacock, guinea hens and American black bears.

The charges include permitting the animals to be in distress andfailing to comply with the prescribed standards of care. In the case of 35 black bears, the zoo has been charged withfailing to provide adequate and appropriate food and water.

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"Reports of animal cruelty are taken very seriously," saidSteve Toy, anOntario SPCAsenior inspector in a news release."When we receive reports of cruelty that involve wildlife or exotic animals, we will utilize our experts as well as industry experts to assist us with our investigation."

OSPCAofficers and a veterinarian responded to investigate when the complaint was made on Nov. 10.

Marineland disputes allegations

Marinelandsaid in a statementthat thecomplaintwas made by a former animal care workerwho was fired for poor performance and inappropriate behaviour.

Inits statement,Marinelandsaidthe animals in question are receiving the medical attention needed and disputedsome concerns over the alleged mistreatment of the animals in care.

"A single peacock, out of thousands of birds, had an issue with one eye. The peacock was otherwise healthy, eating well and interacting with all the other birds," said Marineland in a statement.

The Niagara Falls amusement parkclaims that the guinea hens are healthy, well-adjusted to their enclosure and did not require medical attention. It said the birds, as wild animals,did not respond well to the four OSPCA staff entering the enclosure.

Marinelandsaid it has since provided additional area for these animals.

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Marineland said the black bears wererecently checked by veterinary staff on Nov. 23 and "no problems were found." The park said "the bears are on an excellent and varied diet" that includes fish fit for human consumption.It saidthe dietis "thesame diet that the OSPCA has approved multiple times for the past four years."

Investigation continues

Alison Cross, a spokeswoman for theOSPCA, told CBC News that no animals have been removed at this time based on the nature of the charges filed.

However, Crosssaid the OSPCA iscontinuing to monitor the animals to ensure they receive the care they need while the investigation continues.

The maximum penalties for these charges are a$60,000 fine, a lifetime ban in owning animalsand two years in jail.

This is not the first time Marinelandhas come under scrutiny. In 2013, severalformer employees claimed the quality of water compromised the health of animals.

These allegations sparked an uproar and investigation, which the OSPCAis now usingto informthe province's recent review of its animal welfare laws.