A small, dedicated force of concerned citizens walked away disappointed as the case of a St. Catharines vet facing 16 counts of animal cruelty was put off.
Dr. Mahavir Rekhi did not appear in court today. His representation instead asked for the case to be spoken to on October 16th due to the complexity of the case.
The veterinarian faces 8 counts of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal and eight counts of failing to provide suitable and adequate care for an animal.
Initially an investigation was launched in September of last year by Kevin Strooband, an investigator with the OSPCA and executive director of the Lincoln County Humane Society.
If convicted Rekhi could face up to five years in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, and a lifetime ban on owning or caring for an animal.
Rekhi was already fined $10,000 dollars by the Ontario College of Veterinarians and his licence was suspended last August after videos surfaced of him abusing animals in his care.
Rekhi re-opened his clinic after his licence was reinstated in February, causing shockwaves of outrage to ripple through the community.