As anticipated, the St. Catharines veterinarian clinic at the centre of an abuse controversy is open again.
Skyway Animal Hospital has been closed since the fall after owner Dr. Mahavir Rekhi was convicted of abusing animals in his care and had his licence suspended by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario.
In November, he told CKTB News he was planning to reopen once his suspension was lifted in February.
Dr. Rekhi was caught on video punching and strangling animals in his care at the Welland Avenue clinic.
Protestors have been outside the clinic in anticipation of it reopening, with calls for a stiffer penalty from the CVO.
A flash protest is now being planned for later this afternoon.
The building has been vandalized in the past with eggs and feces.
St. Catharines Council has also passed a motion asking the CVO to strengthen penalties for veterinarians convicted of animal abuse.
The OSPCA says there is an investigation open, but they have not laid criminal charges.
***WARNING - EXPLICIT LANGUAGE IN VIDEOS
POLL: Would you take your pet to Skyway Animal Hospital?
— NewsTalk 610 CKTB (@610CKTB) February 22, 2017