A St. Catharines vet who had his licence suspended after he was caught on video abusing animals in his care is now facing 16 counts of animal cruelty under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Dr. Mahavir Rekhi 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.
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.
Rekhi was served at his clinic this morning, and the clinic closed shortly after.
The vet who operates Skyway Animal Hospital on Welland Avenue re-opened his clinic in February after serving a 6 month suspension from the Ontario College of Veterinarians (OCV).
Rekhi was suspended and fined $10,000 after clinic staff and former employees made complaints to the college.
The case made national headlines when the complainants went public with the video evidence, following what they believed, was too light a penalty from the OCV.
In September, Kevin Strooband, an investigator with the OSPCA and executive director of the Lincoln County Humane Society, began an investigation after learning about the case.
He executed a search warrant on Dec. 7 with Niagara Regional Police and seized files.
Rekhi is scheduled to appear in a St. Catharines court room on July 14, 2017.