The results of a Brock University survey on the future of animal cruelty investigations is expected out this spring.
Dr. Kendra Coulter, Chair of the Labour Studies Department at Brock University launched the survey last month.
"It was a really large response. It exceeded my wildest expectations, which again, it simply reaffirms that people care a lot about this issue. They care about what happens to animals in our province and I've committed to producing the public report, it was such a huge pile of data, it's taken some time to get through it of course, this spring."
She also says the report will include data from other jurisdictions about what's working and what's not working.
During a discussion with Niagara In the Morning as part of the Spotlight on Animal Welfare, Coulter also pointed out some flaws in how Ontario has been dealing with animal cruelty investigations.
"There are now between 60 - 65 animal cruelty officers for the entire province. There are more fare inspectors in the TTC than there cruelty officers for the entire province."
She also touched on the long term mental health impacts of the investigations, which can include PTSD, as well as physical dangers the officers face in the course of their work.
Earlier this year Judge Timothy Minnema ruled the OSPCA's enforcement powers were unconstitutional, noting, "the OSPCA is opaque, insular, unaccountable, and potentially subject to external influence, and as such Ontarians cannot be confident that the laws it enforces will be fairly and impartially administered."