This is a family law case which involves animal cruelty. In the two motions before the Court, the Applicant (mother) is petitioning for child and spousal support and arrears, a modification of parenting time exchange, and costs, while the Respondent (father) is moving for dismissal of spousal support and arrears, modification of parenting regime, and costs.
Among the acrimonious history between the two parties is the mention of an OPP charge against the Respondent for animal cruelty toward the family dog based on allegations brought by the Applicant, which the Respondent alleges was her malicious attempt to cause him financial hardship through legal fees and portray him negatively and were contradicted by the longstanding veterinarian. While the Respondent claims the charges were dropped by the OPP, he also stated that that he pleaded guilty to an offence under the Provincial Offences Act in relation to those allegations (para. 9(o)). The Applicant had the dog euthanized.
The Respondent alleged in his submissions relating to parenting time that the Applicant has a history of violence toward him, where she has created a toxic environment over the past ten years as she was constantly trying to put him in harm’s way, financially, criminally, and physically (para. 8(a)).
The Court determined that interim spousal support would be awarded to the Applicant, due to her virtual lack of income, in the amount of $1077.00 per month but arrears were deferred to the trial judge with the exception of those for unpaid spousal payments in relation to a previous order made on September 1, 2023. With respect to the parenting schedule, the Court rejected the Applicant’s submissions regarding concerns over the Respondent’s parenting abilities (para. 46) and concluded that it would be in the best interests of the children that an Interim Order modifying the parenting regime to a one-week on/one-week off schedule be issued.
https://canlii.ca/t/k2ngg