This story has been up to date because it was first printed to incorporate new particulars from the London Police Service.
London police are investigating the deaths of two animals and the sickness of a 3rd after they have been on show at a petting zoo for youngsters, a part of a weekend Pleasure occasion within the southwestern Ontario metropolis.
Two rodents — a Patagonian cavy named Bean and Cashew the guinea pig — died, and Apollo the goat is being monitored for signs on the farm, mentioned Bethany Tout, proprietor of Little Pastime Hill Farm, an animal sanctuary and therapeutic farm based mostly in Salford.
They have been all housed in the identical pen on the Oakridge Optimist Neighborhood Park on Saturday.
“I am actually hoping that it is not true that somebody did this. I actually hate to suppose that somebody would do that deliberately,” Tout advised .
A autopsy on the guinea pig will likely be carried out in Guelph to find out reason behind loss of life, Tout mentioned.
“That may take a few days, however I hope it is fast so we are able to have solutions.”
A number of days earlier than the occasion, Tout received an nameless e mail to the farm’s account expressing disappointment that her enterprise was concerned with the Pleasure occasion. Police haven’t made any connection between the e-mail and the loss of life of the animals, nonetheless, they mentioned the investigation is lively and ongoing.
“Pleasure has no relation to a petting zoo and there’s no motive to conjoin these … Please take into account your occasions and what you help,” the e-mail reads. has seen the message in its entirety.
A drag queen storytime occasion was featured on the 2024 Oakridge Pleasure occasion. (Provided by Brianna Phelan)
“I can affirm we’re conscious of the incident and we’re investigating the incidence,” mentioned Const. Matt Dawson on Monday evening.
On Tuesday afternoon, police launched a press release saying the reason for loss of life didn’t “look like because of intentional poisoning.” Dawson mentioned the necropsy outcomes of the guinea pig had not but been obtained from the veterinary faculty in Guelph, however was not capable of present additional particulars.
“Ought to the investigation turn into prison in nature sooner or later, we’ll share extra info,” the police assertion learn.
A Metropolis of London spokesperson mentioned officers there are additionally conscious of the incident.
“It has been a traumatic 48 hours for lots of people,” mentioned Oakridge Pleasure organizer Brianna Phelan. The Patagonian cavy had 10 seizures and was taken to the emergency veterinarian, then put down, mentioned Phelan, including the guinea pig died Sunday “and the goat received actually sick.”
Regardless of uncertainty over how the animals died, Phelan mentioned, it is unsettling, particularly at a time when London police say hate crimes towards members of the 2SLGBTQ+ neighborhood are on the rise.
“Yearly, we have had points with protesters or individuals contesting the occasion, however this 12 months there was nothing. It was extraordinarily quiet, virtually to the purpose of being unsettling,” mentioned Phelan. “Then, the petting zoo obtained an e mail.”
She mentioned she has reached out to the Ontario Poison Centre as a result of she was apprehensive concerning the youngsters who have been with the animals and enjoying round their pens.
“[My grandchildren] have been proper down on their arms and knees on the grass,” mentioned Lori Ward, who attended the occasion. “Guarantee that your youngsters aren’t feeling sick or your animals that will have been at Pleasure aren’t feeling unwell.”
Ward encourages individuals to look via their movie footage to see if something appears suspicious.
It doesn’t matter what occurred, Tout mentioned, she’s going to proceed to deliver her animals to Pleasure occasions.
“We’ll take precautions however it will not deter me from taking part.”
