Media Releases

Toronto Animal Services Investigates Lion Cub at Lavelle Nightclub

TORONTO – Toronto Animal Services is investigating after Instagram photos of a lion club at a Toronto nightclub surfaced. The photos were apparently taken yesterday at Lavelle, a downtown nightclub with a rooftop pool, and depict patrons posing for selfies with the baby lion.

Animal Justice filed a complaint with Toronto Animal Services over the images because Toronto bylaws prohibit possessing lions and other exotic animals.

“It’s illegal in Toronto to parade exotic animals around nightclubs for marketing purposes,” said lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice. “Baby animals aren’t toys. This lion cub should be with her mother, not used as a prop for selfies.”

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For more information, contact:

Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]