CHEAPSIDE—Police and provincial animal welfare inspectors removed 11 dogs and several other animals from a former dog rescue property on July 13 after concerns were raised about conditions at the rural site.
Haldimand County OPP officers attended the Concession 2 Walpole property while inspectors with Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services carried out an investigation.
The property had been used by Fight Against Breed Racism, commonly known as FABR, a rescue that focused on large dogs and bully breeds.
Ministry of the Solicitor General spokesperson Brent Ross confirmed 11 dogs, one cat, and a gecko were removed from the property.
“Two deceased dogs were also located on the property,” Ross said. “As the ministry is actively investigating this matter, we cannot provide further information on charges at this time.”
The animals removed from the site were expected to receive veterinary care before being placed in an appropriate setting.
Videos posted online by Liam Trefry of the animal welfare group PawPrints Pantry appeared to show several dogs inside a sparsely furnished room and others barking from the window of a trailer. Another video and photograph appeared to show the decomposed remains of a dog inside a barn.
Trefry said the footage was recorded on the morning of July 13, 2026 after community members approached him with concerns about FABR.
Landlord Wolfgang Kietnitz said he and his wife visited the property about a week before police and animal welfare inspectors arrived. He estimated they saw approximately 30 dogs on the property, spread throughout the house, a trailer, sheds and a barn.
“There were dogs everywhere, in a trailer, in sheds, and they were just barking,” Kietnitz said. “It’s like a horror story.”
That night Kietnitz noted he had a hard time going to sleep thinking about “those poor dogs.”
Kietnitz alleged FABR operator Jen Jeffries had largely relocated from the property before the animals were removed, returning periodically to care for them. He said the house had been damaged and numerous crates had been placed inside.
He also described finding deceased dogs at the property, including one inside the barn and another outside. The ministry later independently confirmed that two deceased dogs were located during its investigation.
In a video she posted online on July 11, Jeffries denied neglecting the animals.
She said she was in the process of moving the dogs and kennels to another property and had continued staying at the Cheapside location while the move was underway.
“My dogs aren’t being neglected. We’re in the middle of moving,” Jeffries said. “I’ve been living at the old house by myself all week while my kids were living at the new house.”
Jeffries said Animal Welfare Services had previously inspected the property without identifying concerns, adding that the dogs were at healthy weights and the kennels were clean.
Those claims have not been confirmed by the ministry.
She acknowledged the property was messy but said she had prioritized caring for the animals while handling the rescue largely by herself. Jeffries said FABR had been closed because operating it had left her burned out, not because the animals were being mistreated.
Kietnitz said members of the community had offered to assist after information and images from the property began circulating online.
Animal Welfare Services has not said whether charges will be laid. The investigation remains ongoing.
