More than 60 cats rescued during Mississauga animal cruelty investigation

A Mississauga man is facing more than 130 charges after police rescued nearly 60 kittens and eight cats in an animal cruelty investigation they say began earlier this year.

In a news release, Peel regional police say their investigation began on April 1, after receiving “multiple” reports “in which kittens were sold in distressing conditions and later died from their injuries” — before being taken into their new homes.

Police did not say exactly how many kittens died or how they were injured.

On April 23, Peel investigators from executed a search warrant alongside Animal Welfare Services’ Major Incident Management Team.

During the search, police say they rescued 57 kittens and eight adult cats from the property. Police say the animals were immediately transported to an animal rescue centre for urgent veterinary treatment.

As a result of their probe, 38-year-old Qiang Yu, of Mississauga, has been charged with 134 counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals under the Criminal Code of Canada.

None of the charges have been tested in court but police say Yu was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Investigators say so far, no other animals remain outstanding, adding that the rescued animals are now in the care of a Mississauga animal care shelter.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact investigators.