Animal Welfare Services charges Hamilton dog boarder with 96 offences

The Ontario government is charging the owner of a Hamilton pet-sitting business related to the death of five dogs and the distress of 24 dogs.

Animal Welfare Services has laid 96 charges for offences under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act) against Jessica Kippen, the owner of Kippen Cares.

Kippen has been charged with (under the PAWS act):

• 24 counts under section 49(1)(a)(i) for “standards of care”
• 24 counts under section 49(1)(a)(ii) a sub-section regarding “exposure to undue risk of distress”
• 24 counts under section 49(2)(1) for subsection “causing distress” and
• 24 counts under section 49(2)(2) for the subsection labeled “permitting distress.”

The charges were laid on Nov. 15 against Kippen, with their is first appearance is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2025, at a Hamilton courthouse.

What happened to ‘Kippen Cares’ and its owner

The charges follow after several allegations of animal abuse were issued against the owner, after a customer’s dog died while in their care back in June.

An angry crowd then took to the streets outside the property on Parkside Drive in Westdale and protested and confronted the owner.

The Provincial Animal Welfare Service (PAWS) began an investigation into the pet-care business soon after.

The doggie daycare was abandoned as of August, with a sign on the house reading, “the tenant has vacated the property permanently.”

Hamilton Animal Services said at least six by-law penalties were issued for the business since 2021.

The city also issued several administrative penalties to the business including operating without a licence in 2023.

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