Toronto Humane Society officer Tre Smith was forced to break in a car window to rescue a dog left sweltering in a car.  The investigator was called to the parking lot in the King and Jameson area around 2pm.  Officer Smith was confronted with a dog in an obviously dangerous condition after being confined in the hot car for several hours.  The temperature inside the vehicle had reached in excess o 70C.

(cell phone image of Cyrus minutes after being taken out of the car, Photo courtesy of CTV Toronto)  The investigator was sure the dog was near death and didn't have time to wait or the owner to return, so without hesitating, he broke open the window to reach the dog.  The Rottweiler, about 110 pounds was slumped over the back seat with his legs up and a blank stare on his face.  The dog was foaming from the mouth and was non-responsive.

Bystanders came with buckets of cold water and poured them on the dog slowly.

Veterinarians tended to the dog, which was unresponsive as he was rushed to the Toronto Humane Society headquarters on River St. and given oxygen and IV on arrival.

When the owner of the dog emerged after hearing his car alarm go off, Smith handcuffed him to the vehicle while police were called.  Enraged witness' attacked him as he was stuck shackled to his car.  He was bleeding and lost 3 teeth when the police arrived.

Cyrus being examined and recovering (Photo's courtesy of CityNews.ca)

Cyrus is lucky to be alive and faces a long road back.  He may never be what he was before.  Cyrus is a 3-year-old Rottweiler has suffered both brain and kidney damage from being left in the hot car.

44-year-old Soderholm has been charged with animal cruelty and if convicted faces a $2000 fine or up to 6 months in jail and a possible 2 year prohibition against owning animals.

Soderholm will be in court in September to face the animal cruelty charges.  2 other men are acing charges for allegedly assaulting Soderholm while he was handcuffed to his car.

Tre Smith with Cyrus (Photo's courtesy of CityNews.ca)

The case doesn't end here.  The Humane Society Officer has been suspended for handcuffing Soderholm to his car and leaving him to rush the dog to medical care.  The Ontario SPCA suspended Smith's agent's license pending an internal review.  Smith has been allowed to remain at the Humane Society but he cannot investigate animal cruelty cases.

Smith is being backed by the witness who helped pour cold water over the dog.  The witness stated that Soderholm was threatening and abusive and for safety reasons Smith handcuffed him to the car and took the dying dog to the veterinarian.

Update August 10, 2007:

OSPCA responds to suspension of Humane Society Cruelty Investigator by stating he is a hero in the eyes of many.  The OSPCA stated they had no choice but to suspend Smith.  Chief Inspector Hugh Coghill stated in his letter that Smith is a hero for saving the life of Cyrus the dog but so are our 170+ cruelty officers across Ontario that do exactly that day after day.  This review is not about the rescue of a suffering animal it is about the conduct of an officer after the rescue was made and whether that conduct was appropriate.

Chief Inspector Hugh Coghill goes on to say the priority for everyone in our organization is animal protection, but the way we provide that protection is just as important.

Update October 30, 2007:

Two men have been charged with assaulting Soderholm.  The fallout for Officer Smith's suspension is being felt by the Toronto Humane Society to the tune of about $80,000.  That is how much in donations they have lost because donors blame them for Smith's suspension.

Update December 9, 2007:

Tre Smith has had his suspension lifted and is back at work with full powers.  However, the OSPCA has cited hi for misconduct for using the handcuffs.

Meanwhile Cyrus remains healthy and in the care of foster parents.

References:

Toronto Humane Society

The Star

City News

CBS News

The Mississauga News

CTV Toronto