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Friends of the Cawthra Bush & Greater Mississauga Area
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Opening comments - more at end. Aug. 18, 1989 Mississauga News Page - 6 Big Cat Rally, small photo at top of front page. Pet pals rally at meeting trying to save cat shelter By JOHN STEWART A parade of citizens, Ontario Humane society officials, and animal rights activists told city councillors Wed. that they don't understand why Mississauga is so anxious to close the Burnhamthorpe Cat Shelter. Liz White, of the Toronto Humane Society, said Lois Stevens is providing a valuable service at the City-owned Bird property by looking after animals which could not possibly be handled by the Mississauga animal control centre or an animal shelter run by the Ontario Humane Society. White said it was ironic that the City is now investigating a comprehensive range of animal control services, including small private shelters. "It is absurd that you would remove someone who is providing sheltering before you look at the whole issue of private shelters, " said White, who called the local shelter "a model" for such facilities. Linda Pinizzotto of Clarkson called it "a breach of good faith if the City evicts tenants who are providing a good service for the community so you can have the property bare and vacant." Mississauga plans to demolish the property after the Stevenses leave Oct. 31. The land will eventually be part of a public gardens for which a master plan is now being developed. There is $7,000 allotted to demolish the building in this year's City budget, Pinozzotto said. Rather than tearing the house down and eliminating the cat shelter, she said $8,000 should be spent to have it meet the property standards bylaw and allow the shelter to remain for two or three years. "Who owns the property?" asked Pinozzotto. "We're the public and we'd like to see the property remain there. About 40 supporters of Lois and Brian Stevens wore cardboard hats bearing slogans calling for the shelter to be saved during the council meeting. Josephine Polk, of Action Volunteers for Animals, suggested that "laws are made, sometimes, to be broken." She said this was a case where bylaws should be tailored to fit the "individual situation." When Polk suggested that "because this isn't a situation where profit is involved, this issue was dealt with in the way it was," Malton councillor Frank McKechnie took offence. "I find the remarks totally out of order," he snapped, "and I don't intend to sit here and listen to this." Dr. Kenneth Easton, vice-president of the Mississauga branch of the Ontario Human Society, said the Stevenses have been "persecuted by erroneous reports" about their operation. Easton said it was his suggestion that they participate in animal health week in Oct. 1988 which led to the City becoming aware that they were operating a shelter on municipal lands. "I apologize for having placed them in jeopardy," an emotional Easton said. By evicting the Stevenses "life in Mississauga has been attacked in a way that is unconscionable and unacceptable," added the veterinarian. "A mistake has been made and the atonement should be a reversal of the decision." For the first time, Brian and Lois Stevens were represented by a lawyer in their fight to save their home. Paul Reinhardt, a Toronto solicitor, argued that the City has a legal framework in which to allow the Stevenses to remain on the property for some time, while not setting any precedents. He suggested the approval of the committee of adjustment for temporary use of the property for a shelter would be appropriate. The lawyer also hinted the Stevenses may not leave the Bird property quietly on Oct. 31 as ordered by the City. He said there is potential for legal action which would be "a tragedy for the Stevenses and this council." Instead, there is a good opportunity for a compromise agreement, he suggested. "I hope we can reach a solution short of having to litigate this in the courts," he said. Merlin Andrew, a long-time animal rights activist from Toronto, told council that "if you lose Mrs. Stevens, you are losing a sense of compassion." She drew applause from the audience when she told councillors "thank you for listening to me if, indeed, any of you have listened to me." Several councillors didn't appear to be paying close attention to the remarks of the deputants concerning the cat shelter. Lois Stevens said yesterday that she was "not disillusioned" that council's decision to demolish the home was not reopened. She said she will just have to work harder to convince them their decision is wrong the next time she appears at council. "But I feel sorry for my supporters" who have to keep going back to council meetings, she said. PLEEASSE SIGN OUR PETITION It will make a difference! Home Page - Main Table of Contents - Back up a page - Back to Top [COMMENTS BY DON B. - ] |
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