The dearth of information on taxpayer-funded investigations is a problem, some observers say, particularly because the government argued that creating Animal Welfare Services would make the enforcement of animal cruelty laws more transparent.

“The public has the right to know,” said Kendra Coulter, a professor at Huron University College at Western University who is an expert on animal protection organizations.

“We can’t be engaged citizens who are speaking to our members of provincial parliament if we don’t even know what the issues are.”