The Toronto Humane Society was back in court Tuesday over the fate of Bandit, the dog with nine lives who is the only remaining animal inside the shelter.
Justice David Brown of the Ontario Superior Court expressed exasperation that despite the unanimous recommendations of multiple experts that the pit bull-Labrador cross posed a threat to public safety, and promises by the THS's board of directors that they had "turned over a new leaf," the dog had not been euthanized.
In an unusual move, the judge ordered that a board member take the stand, and explain why the THS had not followed court orders.
Board president Bob Hambley told the court that the board had been advised by lawyers that an outstanding appeal of a 2004 order to have Bandit put down blocked them from acting, but the judge pointed out that it was the board who requested the appeal and that it was in their power to abandon it.
In an agreement reached earlier this month between the THS and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the shelter was supposed to be empty of animals Tuesday so that a rehabilitation of the embattled charity could begin, and the board of directors would resign.
But the board applied to the court last week to have Bandit, who rose to infamy more than six years ago when he mauled a toddler and later became former THS president Tim Trow's office pet, stay at the shelter. Mr. Justice Brown will deliver his decision on Wednesday.