The doors to Skyway Animal Hospital in St. Catharines remain closed this morning.
There is no sign of anyone at the veterinary clinic, a day after its owner, Doctor Mahavir Rekhi, was charged with animal cruelty, including 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.
A sign in the window reads, this property is protected by video surveillance.
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says a criminal investigation was launched last September in connection with alleged incidents of abuse in 2013.
The abuse came to light after former staff members released video footage of the doctor choking and hitting animals in his care to the media.
The footage was originally sent to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario but when the college suspended Rekhi for 10 months, the employees went public feeling the punishment was too lenient.