The appellant appealed a Statement of Account issued by Animal Welfare Services (AWS) following the removal of 14 cats from her home.
AWS had entered the home without a warrant, citing critical distress, and subsequently kept the cats in boarding for months without making a formal decision to keep them in care under s. 31(6) of the PAWS Act.
The Animal Care Review Board found that while the removal was authorized, the warrantless entry was not, as inspectors failed to consider obtaining a telewarrant.
The Board also ruled that AWS cannot keep animals in care without a formal decision, as this deprives owners of their appeal rights.
Consequently, the Board varied the Statement of Account to $2,814.88, striking all boarding costs, and ordered the return of the cats subject to strict conditions.
