An animal welfare investigation is underway after representatives from several local authorities moved in on a home in a south Sarnia neighbourhood on Wednesday.
Witnesses told Sarnia News Today authorities, including officers in hazmat gear, were at a property on Harkness Street at 10 a.m. and again at 7:30 p.m.
The witnesses described what they were seeing as a "raid of a puppy mill."
Sarnia Police Service (SPS) Deputy Chief Julie Craddock confirmed with Sarnia News Today that SPS officers responded to assist in an investigation there just before noon on May 22.
"The SPS is not the lead agency on this," Craddock said. "We were requested to attend at the request of Sarnia Animal Control and the Sarnia and District Humane Society."
But she did verify that numerous dogs were seized.
"I can confirm that we did attend and approximately 30 dogs were removed from the residence," she added.
Ministry of the Solicitor General Spokesperson Brent Ross also provided a statement.
"The ministry can confirm that Animal Welfare Services [AWS] has attended an address on Harkness Street in Sarnia as part of an active investigation. Given the investigation, the ministry is unable to provide further detail," Ross said.
The Sarnia and District Humane Society told Sarnia News Today that AWS has been responsible for enforcing the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act since 2019.
The Operations Director for the local humane society said none of the animals recovered were taken to their shelter.
With files from Stephanie Chaves