A former employee of the Skyway Animal Hospital in St.Catharines says she is ecstatic.
Larissa Engels was an employee at the clinic for around a month, working side-by-side with controversial vet Doctor Mahavir Rekhi .
Engels says she received a phone call this morning informing her that he was facing 16 animal cruelty charges and she was pleasantly surprised over the amount of charges.
Engels says it's nice to see charges laid after such a long time.
There's word protestors will gather in front of the Welland Ave. clinic at 3:30pm today to celebrate the charges.
Rekhi was served this morning while at the Welland Ave. clinic.
The clinic was closed shortly after.
He is facing 8 indictable counts of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal and 8 indictable counts of failing to provide suitable and adequate care for an animal.
Outrage erupted in September of last year when CTV Toronto aired video of Dr.Rekhi choking and hitting animals in his care at the Skyway Animal Hospital.
The College of Veterinarians of Ontario suspended Rekhi for 10 months for professional misconduct.
The suspension was not enough for many local residents, with thousands signing a change dot org petition demanding the College revoke his license.
Following the outcry, the Lincoln County Humane Society began an investigation of its own to determine if criminal charges were warranted.
Rehki is scheduled to appear in court July 14th.
If found guilty, Rekhi could face a lifetime ban on owning or caring for an animal, a $10,000 fine, and up to 5 years in jail.