FactumofPlaintiff Nakhuda.dec.17.12 (1)
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Transcript of FactumofPlaintiff Nakhuda.dec.17.12 (1)
Court File No. 81654/12
ONTARIO SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
B E T W E E N :
YASMIN NAKHUDA
Plaintiff
- and -
STORY BOOK FARM PRIMATE SANCTUARY and SHERRI DELANEY
Defendants
PLAINTIFF’S FACTUM (Returnable December 20, 2012)
Falconer Charney LLP
Barristers at Law 8 Prince Arthur Avenue Toronto, ON M5R 1A9
Theodore P. Charney Lawyer’s Registration No: 26853E Tel: (416) 964-3408 Fax: (416) 929-8179
Lawyers for the plaintiff, Yasmin Nakhuda
2
TO: Brauti Thorning Zibarras LLP 151 Yonge Street, Suite 1800 Toronto, Ontario M5C 2W7
Kevin D. Toyne
Tel: (416) 362- 2961 Fax: (416) 3642-8410
Lawyers for the Defendants, Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary and Sherri Delaney
3
PART I - OVERVIEW 1. The plaintiff Yasmin Nakhuda (“Yasmin”) seeks an order for interim
recovery of possession of personal property, described as a Japanese macaque
monkey named Darwin. Yasmin owned Darwin who was seized by Animal
Services on December 9, 2012, at IKEA under intense media and internet
attention.
2. Once the “IKEA monkey” story hit the media, the defendants immediately
applied to have Darwin transferred to their farm. He was transferred to the farm
in Sunderland, Ontario, on December 10, 2012.
3. The sanctuary provides a home for abused and abandoned primates.
While the stated goals and operations of the sanctuary are salutary, Darwin is not
an abandoned or abused primate. He was in perfect health when Animal
Services gave him to the defendants. When the defendants took possession of
Darwin, Ms. Delaney was aware that Darwin is Yasmin’s pet and that he was
taken from her by Animal Services.
4. Darwin belongs to Yasmin and should be returned to the family with whom
he has bonded and who considers him to be their pet or companion animal.
5. The defendants will not suffer any prejudice if Darwin is returned to
Yasmin, whereas Yasmin and her family have been traumatized by their pet
being taken away from them. Their bond with Darwin will be severed with the
passage of time as Darwin grows older and assumes he has been abandoned.
Indeed, that is what the defendants are counting on by refusing access. The
defendants have refused all requests for access. The balance of convenience
favors the return of Darwin until the trial.
4
PART II - THE FACTS 6. Yasmin is a real estate lawyer who lives in Toronto with her husband and
two children ages 11 and 16. Darwin has lived with the family since July 14,
2012. The family considers Darwin to be their pet or companion animal. He was
about two months old when he was gifted by a breeder to Yasmin. 1
7. Yasmin does not have any legal papers evidencing ownership, which is
not unusual for a pet, but the photos at Exhibit A evidence that she has been in
continuous possession of Darwin since July. The photos show Darwin in close
physical contact with Yasmin, or family members, being nurtured and cared for at
home, in the car, at work, sleeping with the son, dressed up for Halloween, and
going to bed. 2
8. Darwin was well cared for in every respect and developed a very close
bond with Yasmin as his “mother figure”. Baby monkeys usually spend their first
year primarily living on their mother’s back and to a large extent that’s precisely
what Darwin would do with Yasmin.3
DARWIN AT IKEA - SEIZED BY TORONTO ANIMAL SERVICES 9. On December 9, 2012, Yasmin and her husband Samar drove to IKEA in
North York to go shopping. IKEA has a policy against pets so Darwin stayed
behind in his carrier. Darwin somehow managed to get out of his carrier and
open the car door. He decided to go for a walk, likely looking for Yasmin and was
spotted in his shearling coat in the IKEA parking lot.4
10. Bystanders took photos and videos on their cell phones which were
uploaded to the internet and You Tube, starting an international media frenzy.
1 Paras. 1-3 and 15 of the affidavit of Yasmin Nakhuda, sworn December 13, 2012 (the
“Affidavit”). 2 Exhibit “A” and para. 9 of the Affidavit.
3 Para. 3 of the Affidavit.
4 Para. 5 of the Affidavit.
5
Darwin - the cute baby monkey in a shearling coat at IKEA became the IKEA
monkey.5
11. A photo of Darwin that day is at exhibit D. It is not exactly the picture of a
distressed animal whose owner abused him. 6
12. By the time Yasmin and Samar returned to the car and discovered Darwin
was missing, Toronto Animal Services had been called and had already seized
him in front of IKEA. No one thought to page the owner in the IKEA store or to
ask around the lot. He was taken away.7
13. In a panic, Samar and Yasmin started to make phone calls to branches of
Animal Services and were informed that he was at the 1300 Sheppard Avenue
location (the “Centre”). They were relieved to know he was found and rushed
over to retrieve him. Unbeknownst to Yasmin and Samar their pet was about to
become the IKEA monkey. 8
TORONTO ANIMAL SERVICES 14. Toronto Animal Services is operated by the City of Toronto and has a
number of Animal Care Centres where, according to the web site, “people can
find a new companion or be reunited with a lost pet”. Included in the list of
services provided by Animal Services are:
Take in stray animals or those in need of protective care that are picked up by our professional enforcement and mobile response team of Animal Care and Control Officers;
Reunite more than 2000 lost animals with their guardians each year through our lost and found pets program. 9
5 Para. 23 of the Affidavit.
6 Exhibit “D” and para. 16 of the Affidavit.
7 Para. 6 of the Affidavit.
8 Para. 7 of the Affidavit.
9 Exhibit “E” and para. 17 of the Affidavit.
6
15. Yasmin went to the Centre to retrieve her lost pet who was picked up by
Animal Services. That is one of the stated purposes of the Centre, to pick up lost
pets and reunite them with their owner.10
16. Unfortunately that was not to be. Instead of being reunited with her lost
pet, Yasmin ended up signing a form surrendering Darwin to Animal Services.11
17. Why would a pet owner who loves and is devoted to caring for her pet
(and who has a family that considers Darwin to be the family pet), surrender the
pet to Animal Services?
17. A voluntary surrender of a pet is a very unfortunate situation and usually
happens when an owner can no longer care for the pet or no longer wants the
pet. Most of the surrendered pets are euthanized unless adopted within a few
days. The web site reads:
TO ALL OWNERS: Upon signing ownership over to Toronto Animal Services, the final disposition (e.g. adoption, transfer to rescue group or euthanasia) of the animal will be made by Toronto Animal Services and you will not be contacted to be advised of the disposition.12
EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE AT TORONTO ANIMAL SERVICES 18. A By-law enforcement officer interviewed Yasmin and issued a ticket
under Municipal Code by-law Chapter 349 (“the Code”).The offence is described
on the ticket as keeping a prohibited animal namely a monkey. The fine was set
at $240.00. 13
19. The officer refused to return Darwin or allow Yasmin to see him. He said
that Yasmin could not own Darwin because of the by-law. He told her that the
police were involved and that Darwin may have diseases.14
10
Exhibit “E” and paras. 7-8 of the Affidavit. 11
Paras. 12-14 of the Affidavit. 12
Exhibit “E” of the Affidavit. 13
Exhibits “B” and “I” and para. 9 of the Affidavit. 14
Para. 10 of the Affidavit.
7
20. The officer said he would not lay criminal charges and would allow Yasmin
to see Darwin if she would just sign the surrender form.15
21. Yasmin initially refused to sign but ultimately signed the Surrender Form.
She signed under duress and induced by misrepresentations by the officer. 16
22. Yasmin was very concerned with the prospect of criminal charges as this
would impact her livelihood and reputation. She also desperately wanted to see
and be able to comfort Darwin. The officer must have known and intended that
his comments would induce her to sign the Surrender Form. The threats of
criminal charges and not being able to see Darwin did induce Yasmin to sign the
Surrender Form.17
23. After signing the Surrender Form, Yasmin was taken in to see Darwin
who was very happy to see her and Samar. Yasmin changed his diaper, took off
his coat and hugged him. She asked the worker to leave the coat in the cage so
he would find some comfort from a familiar object. That was the last time Yasmin
saw Darwin.18
24. The Code prohibits persons from keeping prohibited animals in Toronto.
Darwin is a prohibited animal according to schedule A. The Code contains a
section entitled Article IX Offences, which provides that any person who
contravenes any provision of this Chapter is guilty of an offence under the
Provincial Offences Act and liable for a fine of not more than $5000.19
25. The Code authorizes a provincial offences officer to issue a fine, which is
precisely what the officer at Animal Services did.20
15
Para. 11 and Exhibit “C” (the “Surrender Form”) of the Affidavit. 16
Paras. 12-14 of the Affidavit. 17
Paras. 15-16 and 18 of the Affidavit. 18
Paras. 19-21 of the Affidavit. 19
Exhibit “I” to the Affidavit. 20
Paras. 26-27 of the Affidavit.
8
26. Nowhere in the Code is the officer empowered to impound a Schedule A
animal. There are provisions for the impoundment of cats and dogs running at
large but not monkeys. The officer had no basis under the Code to withhold
Darwin when Yasmin came to pick him up.
27. Other jurisdictions, for example Mississauga‘s animal control by law, do
empower an animal control officer to impound the prohibited animal. In contrast
Toronto decided that the penalty would only be a fine. There was nothing in the
by-law to stop Yasmin from being reunited with Darwin. She should have taken
Darwin home where she could contest or pay the ticket and consider the family’s
options, so as not to run afoul of the by–law again. 21
29. While the Code is a by-law that prohibits keeping a monkey in Toronto,
the Code does not prohibit a Torontonian from owning a monkey. The by–law
officer said that Yasmin could not own a monkey which is false.22
30. Criminal charges can be laid by an inspector or agent who is duly
appointed under the Ontario Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals Act
(OSPCA).This provincial body enforces the provisions of the OSPCA. It does not
enforce the Toronto ticketing by-law.23
31. The OSPCA is concerned with serious abuse and neglect of animals as
defined in section 445 (1) (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. The officer must
have been alluding to this section of the Criminal Code when he threatened
Yasmin with criminal charges. There were no reasonable or probable grounds to
consider laying a charge under the Criminal Code assuming the by–law officer
even had the authority to do so, which is unlikely. Darwin has never been
abused. To the contrary, he was a perfectly healthy and happy monkey who was
very well cared for.24
21
Exhibit “J” and para. 27 of the Affidavit. 22
Para. 9 of the Affidavit. 23
Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.36, s. 11. 24
Paras. 15-16 of the Affidavit.
9
32. The by-law officer must have known there was absolutely no prospect of
criminal charges when he coerced Yasmin into signing the form. 25
STORY BOOK FARMS AND SHERRI DELANEY 33. Story Book is a registered charity operated by its director Sherri Delany
from a farm in Sunderland Ontario. The defendants issued a press release on
December 11, two days after Darwin was taken at IKEA. The press release
includes a number of comments from Ms. Delaney concerning “the issue of
exotic animals as pets” and how “people do not realize than monkeys do not
make good pets…raising them as humans is detrimental to their development,
mental and social well-being.” The press release goes on to say:
While images of Darwin in a coat and diapers appear to indicate that he is well cared for, albeit unnatural, even with the best intentions owners are not equipped to handle a mature monkey with large canines who will demonstrate natural aggressive behaviors’ and tendencies. We are frequently contacted by owners who can no longer handle their “pet” monkey and need to relinquish them for safety purposes-this could have been Darwin in a few years if he hadn’t escaped….. Municipalities are left to determine which animals are considered illegal and on what grounds. It is illegal for Toronto residents to own non-human primates, and so Darwin will not be returning to his previous owner, Yasmin Nakhuda. 26
34. Based on the press release and the widespread media attention, it is
quite apparent that Ms. Delaney took possession of Darwin knowing that Yasmin
wanted him back and knowing she was the owner. The reason Ms. Delaney
refuses to return Darwin is somewhat less obvious.27
25
Paras. 15-16 of the Affidavit. 26
Exhibits “F” and “H” and paras. 24-26 of the Affidavit. 27
Para. 28 of the Affidavit.
10
35. Ms. Delaney is a strong advocate for primate rights and does not believe that
monkeys should be kept as pets. Her beliefs are clearly influencing her refusal to
return Darwin.
36. But her beliefs are not the only factor in play. Story Book Farms moved
very quickly to secure Darwin, and then issued a press release in the center of a
media frenzy. Story Book has also revamped their web site and set up a
Facebook page for Darwin the IKEA monkey, to secure publicity and donations.
One can purchase a photo of Darwin on line for a donation of $100 “Dollars for
Darwin”.28
37. Story Book has a stated purpose of providing a home to unwanted or
abused primates. Darwin is clearly not an unwanted or abused primate. Even Ms.
Delaney stated in the press release that he was well cared for. He is wanted by
his family and he is not abused. Therefore the only possible reason for not
returning Darwin is Ms. Delaney’s animal rights viewpoint or perhaps the
prospect of drumming up donations.29
38. Aside from the frustration of having to read and hear from Ms. Delaney
about what she thinks is in the best interests of Darwin, while she sells new
images of Darwin at the farm on line, Yasmin has also been denied any kind of
access to him. The family has undergone a tremendous amount of stress and
anxiety over the loss of their pet and the defendants’ refusal to return him.30
39. As a young baby monkey who considered Yasmin to be his mother,
Darwin must be in a great deal of distress having been torn away from his owner
and the only family he knows. The longer Darwin is kept from Yasmin the more
likely the bond will be severed as Darwin forgets or worse comes to believe that
Yasmin has abandoned him.31
28
Exhibit “K” and para. 26 of the Affidavit. 29
Paras. 25-26 of the Affidavit. 30
Paras. 25 and 29 of the Affidavit. 31
Paras. 30-32 of the Affidavit.
11
PART III – LAW AND ARGUMENT 40. Under the common law of Ontario animals are still considered to be
personal property. Ownership of pets entails the same rights as does ownership
of other tangible personal property.32
41. The test on a motion for interim recovery of personal property pursuant to
Rule 44 and Section 104 of the CJA is in many ways similar to that of an
injunction. The first part of the test is somewhat higher than the serious issue to
be tried test on interlocutory injunctions but the threshold is lower than the strong
prima facie test. In effect, the onus is on the moving party to establish that the
facts, if proven at trial, afford substantial grounds to support the claim. 33
42. The facts that afford Yasmin substantial grounds are that she is without
doubt the owner of Darwin, subject only to the argument that she surrendered
him to Animal Services, who in turn gifted him to the defendants.
43. But there is substantial evidence to allow this Court to conclude, with a
high degree of assurance, that the trial judge would reject any transfer of title
based on the Surrender Form. It makes no sense for Yasmin to surrender
Darwin. She has filed affidavit evidence of being coerced and threatened into
signing the form which seems much more likely than her abandoning the pet she
loves.
44. The Ontario Court of Appeal in Stott v. Merit Investment Corp. described
the type of pressure required in order to make a claim for duress as follows:
32
Vallance v. Naaykens, [2001] B.C.J. No. 959 (B.C. S.C.) at para. 6. Ireland v. Ireland, [2010] S.J. No. 756 (Q.B.) at paras. 8 & 12.
Ferguson v. Birchmount Boarding Kennels Ltd., [2006] O.R. No. 300, 79 O.R. (3d) 681 (S.C.J.) at para. 18.
Nevelson v. Murgaski, [2006] O.J. No. 3132 (Sup Ct). (Sm. Cl. Div.)) at para. 25. Arnold v. Bekkers Pet Care Inc., [2010] O.J. No. 2153 (Sup Ct. (Sm. Cl. Div.) at paras. 68-70. 33
Courts of Justice Act, R.R.O. 1990, c. C-43, s. 104. Rules of Civil Procedure, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, R. 44. Clark Door of Canada Ltd. v. Inline Fiberglass Ltd. (1996), 45 C.P.C. (3d) 244 (Ont. Gen. Div.) at para. 23.
12
It must be a pressure which the law does not regard as legitimate and it must be applied to such a degree as to amount to "a coercion of the will", to use an expression found in English authorities, or it must place the party to whom the pressure is directed in a position where he has no "realistic alternative" but to submit to it.34
45. Where duress has been established, it has the effect of vitiating consent
and an agreement obtained through duress is voidable at the instance of the
party subjected to the duress unless by another agreement or through conduct,
either express or implied, she affirms the impugned contract at a time when she
is no longer the victim of the duress.35
46. The general rule of law (the nemo dat rule) is that when a person has
obtained the property of another, from one who is dealing with it without the
authority of the true owner, no title is acquired as against the true owner. Hence,
if the Surrender Form is void, then Animal Services did not have the authority to
transfer or gift the animal to the defendants. In turn, the defendants cannot have
acquired title.36
47. The exception to the general rule requires the person taking the property
(the defendants) to show that the true owner acted so as to mislead him or her
into the belief that the person with the property (Animal Services) had the
authority to transfer title.37
48. Yasmin did not mislead anyone. She has consistently identified herself as
Darwin’s owner and said she wants him back. The defendants’ press release
demonstrates that the defendants were aware of the controversial circumstances
in which Darwin was transferred to them.
34
Stott v. Merit Investment Corp. (1988), 63 O.R. (2d) 545 (C.A.) at para. 49. 35
Ibid. 36
Canaplan Leasing Inc. v. Dominion of Canada General Insurance Co. [1990] B.C.J. No. 914 (S.C.). 37
Ibid.
13
49. This exception to the nemo dat rule, it is respectfully submitted, is an
extension of the equitable defence that a bona fide purchaser for value and
without notice of someone else’s equitable interest, may receive legal title of a
good transferred to him or her.38
50. This defence requires, however, that the defendants did not have notice of
Yasmin’s equitable title over Darwin, which they did have, but also that Darwin
was given to them for value because “equity will not assist a volunteer.” It is
respectfully submitted that the defendants both had knowledge of Yasmin’s
equitable title over Darwin and that Darwin was gifted to the defendants without
any money being received by Animal Services.39
51. Therefore, because the defendants had knowledge of facts that suggest
that the owner did not intend to part with the property, the general rule of nemo
dat prevails. Similarly, because the property was gifted to the purchaser the
general rule also prevails.
BALANCE OF CONVENIENCE
52. The plaintiff must also satisfy the test that the balance of convenience
favours ordering the plaintiff have possession of the property and the defendant
be deprived of it. The exercise is to weigh the benefit to the plaintiff against the
burden on the defendant. Irreparable harm is a key factor.
53. Unlike claims over inanimate property, competing claims over pets may
take into account a broader range of factors. Abuse of the pet, as defined under
38
Corkum v. Dagley, 2005 NSSC 126 at paras. 44-46 and i Trade Finance Inc. v. Bank of Montreal, 2011 SCC 26, [2011] 2 S.C.R. 360 at paras. 60-64. 39
Ibid.
14
the OSPCA will be a relevant factor. Anxiety and stress experienced by the pet
owner is another factor.40
54. When considering what is in the “best interests of the animal” the court will
usually focus on whether there has been any abuse by the parties within the
meaning of animal protection legislation. The best interests of the animal, who is
property under the common law, is constrained to situations where there has
been abuse.41
55. The notion that a pet may be better off in one environment or another is
not part of the law and indeed cannot be unless animal rights are extended
beyond legislation designed to prevent cruelty. For example, dogs may be better
off on a farm where they can run free than in a bachelor sized apartment but they
do not get a say in the matter.
56. Currently, Yasmin and her family are experiencing anxiety and stress
because of the loss of Darwin. Mental distress from the loss of a pet is a
recognized head of damages and is accepted as a genuine factor in determining
who should be in possession of the pet.
57. There will be irreversible prejudice if Darwin is not returned because
Yasmin and the family will continue to experience anxiety and they will lose the
bond they have with Darwin by the time this matter reaches trial. Therefore, the
balance of convenience favors returning him to the plaintiff.
58. There is no prejudice to the defendants and certainly no irreversible
prejudice. This is not a situation where we have two competing pet owners, such
as in a custody dispute over a pet in a divorce. Ms. Delaney’s only connection to
the animal is her animal rights philosophy. By Ms. Delaney’s own admission, it is
40
Watson v. Hayward, [2002] B.C.J. No. 1628 (Prov. Ct.) at paras. 33-38. 41
Ibid.
15
not until some years from now when Darwin is an adult that any of her stated
concerns even arise.
59. In the alternative, Yasmin and her family should have regular
unsupervised access to Darwin based on a schedule. This is a most unattractive
alternative given the distance from Toronto to Sunderland.
PART IV - RELIEF SOUGHT 60. The plaintiff respectfully requests that this motion be allowed and Darwin
returned to the plaintiff.
ALL OF WHICH IS RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED ON DECEMBER 17, 2012
Theodore P. Charney Falconer Charney LLP 8 Prince Arthur Avenue Toronto, ON M5R 1A9 Lawyers for the Plaintiff
16
“SCHEDULE A”
1. Arnold v. Bekkers Pet Care Inc., [2010] O.J. No. 2153 (Sup Ct. (Sm. Cl.
Div.)).
2. Canaplan Leasing Inc. v. Dominion of Canada General Insurance Co.,
[1990] B.C.J. NO. 914 (S.C.).
3. Clark Door of Canada Ltd. v. Inline Fiberglass Ltd. (1996), 45 C.P.C. (3d)
244 (Ont. Gen. Div.).
4. Corkum v. Dagley, 2005 NSSC 126.
5. Ferguson v. Birchmount Boarding Kennels Ltd., [2006] O.R. No. 300,
79 O.R. (3d) 681 (S.C.J.).
6. i Trade Finance Inc. v. Bank of Montreal, 2011 SCC 26, [2011] 2 S.C.R.
360.
7. Ireland v. Ireland, [2010] S.J. No. 756 (Q.B.).
8. Nevelson v. Murgaski, [2006] O.J. No. 3132 (Sup Ct. (Sm. Cl. Div.)).
9. Stott v. Merit Investment Corp. (1988), 63 O.R. (2d) 545 (C.A.).
10. Vallance v. Naaykens, [2001] B.C.J. No. 959 (S.C.).
11. Watson v. Hayward, [2002] B.C.J. No. 1628 (Prov. Ct.)
17
“SCHEDULE B”
Courts of Justice Act, R.R.O. 1990, c.C-43, Section 104
Interim order for recovery of personal property 104.(1)In an action in which the recovery of possession of personal property is claimed and it is alleged that the property,
(a) was unlawfully taken from the possession of the plaintiff; or
(b) is unlawfully detained by the defendant,
the court, on motion, may make an interim order for recovery of possession of the property.
Damages (2)A person who obtains possession of personal property by obtaining or setting aside an interim order under subsection (1) is liable for any loss suffered by the person ultimately found to be entitled to possession of the property. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43, s. 104.
18
Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, R.S.O 1990, c.O.36, Section 11
Inspectors and agents
Powers of police officer 11. (1) For the purposes of the enforcement of this Act or any other law in force in Ontario pertaining to the welfare of or the prevention of cruelty to animals, every inspector and agent of the Society has and may exercise any of the powers of a police officer. 2008, c. 16, s. 7 (1).
Inspectors and agents of affiliates
(2) Every inspector and agent of an affiliated society who has been appointed by the Society or by the Chief Inspector of the Society may exercise any of the powers and perform any of the duties of an inspector or an agent of the Society under this Act and every reference in this Act to an inspector or an agent of the Society is deemed to include a reference to an inspector or agent of an affiliated society who has been appointed by the Society or by the Chief Inspector of the Society. 2008, c. 16, s. 7 (2).
Local police powers
(3) In any part of Ontario in which the Society or an affiliated society does not function, any police officer having jurisdiction in that part has and may exercise any of the powers of an inspector or agent of the Society under this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. O.36, s. 11 (3).
Identification
(4) An inspector or an agent of the Society who is exercising any power or performing any duty under this Act shall produce, on request, evidence of his or her appointment. 2008, c. 16, s. 7 (3).
Interfering with inspectors, agents
(5) No person shall hinder, obstruct or interfere with an inspector or an agent of the Society in the performance of his or her duties under this Act. 2008, c. 16, s. 7 (3).
19
Rules of Civil Procedure, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, Rule 44 RULE 44 - INTERIM RECOVERY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
MOTION FOR INTERIM ORDER
44.01 (1) An interim order under section 104 of the Courts of Justice Act for recovery of possession of personal property may be obtained on motion by the plaintiff, supported by an affidavit setting out,
(a) a description of the property sufficient to make it readily identifiable;
(b) the value of the property;
(c) that the plaintiff is the owner or lawfully entitled to possession of the property;
(d) that the property was unlawfully taken from the possession of the plaintiff or is unlawfully detained by the defendant; and
(e) the facts and circumstances giving rise to the unlawful taking or detention. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.01 (1).
(2) The notice of motion shall be served on the defendant unless the court is satisfied that there is reason to believe that the defendant may improperly attempt to prevent recovery of possession of the property or that, for any other sufficient reason, the order should be made without notice. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.01 (2).
ORDER TO CONTAIN DESCRIPTION AND VALUE OF PROPERTY
44.02 An interim order for recovery of possession of personal property shall contain a description of the property sufficient to make it readily identifiable and shall state the value of the property. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.02.
DISPOSITION OF MOTION
Where Made on Notice
44.03 (1) On a motion for an interim order for recovery of possession of personal property made on notice to the defendant, the court may,
(a) order the plaintiff to pay into court as security twice the value of the property as stated in the order, or such other amount as the court directs, or to give the appropriate sheriff security in such form and amount as the court approves, and direct the sheriff to take the property from the defendant and give it to the plaintiff;
20
(b) order the defendant to pay into court as security twice the value of the property as stated in the order, or such other amount as the court directs, or to give the plaintiff security in such form and amount as the court approves, and direct that the property remain in the possession of the defendant; or
(c) make such other order as is just. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.03 (1).
Where Made Without Notice
(2) On a motion for an interim order for the recovery of possession of personal property made without notice to the defendant, the court may,
(a) order the plaintiff to pay into court as security twice the value of the property as stated in the order, or such other amount as the court directs, or to give the appropriate sheriff security in such form and amount as the court approves, and direct the sheriff to take and detain the property for a period of ten days after service of the interim order on the defendant before giving it to the plaintiff; or
(b) make such other order as is just. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.03 (2).
CONDITION AND FORM OF SECURITY
44.04 (1) Where an interim order for the recovery of possession of personal property requires either party to give security, the condition of the security shall be that the party providing the security will return the property to the opposite party without delay when ordered to do so, and pay any damages and costs the opposite party has sustained by reason of the interim order. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.04 (1).
(2) Where the security is by bond, the bond shall be in Form 44A and shall remain in force until the security is released under rule 44.06. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.04 (2).
(3) Where the bond is to be given by a person other than an insurer licensed under the Insurance Act to write surety and fidelity insurance, the person giving the bond shall first be approved by the court. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.04 (3); O. Reg. 570/98, s. 2.
SETTING ASIDE ORDER
44.05 The court on motion may set aside or vary an interim order for the recovery of possession of personal property or stay enforcement of the order. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.05.
RELEASE OF SECURITY
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44.06 Any security furnished pursuant to an order made under rule 44.03 may be released on the filing of the written consent of the parties or by order of the court. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.06.
DUTY OF SHERIFF
44.07 (1) Before proceeding to enforce an interim order for the recovery of possession of personal property, the sheriff shall ascertain that any security required by the order has been given. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.07 (1).
(2) The sheriff shall serve the order on the defendant when the property or any part of it is recovered or as soon thereafter as is possible. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.07 (2).
(3) Where the sheriff is unable to comply with the order, or it is dangerous to do so, the sheriff may move for directions from the court. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.07 (3).
(4) The sheriff shall, without delay after attempting to enforce the order and in any event within ten days after service of the order, report to the plaintiff on what property has been recovered and, where the sheriff has failed to recover possession of all or part of the property, on what property has not been recovered and the reason for his or her failure to recover it. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.07 (4).
WHERE DEFENDANT PREVENTS RECOVERY
44.08 Where the sheriff reports that the defendant has prevented the recovery of all or part of the property, the court may make an order,
(a) directing the sheriff to take any other personal property of the defendant, to the value of the property that the sheriff was prevented from recovering, and give it to the plaintiff; and
(b) directing the plaintiff to hold the substituted property until the defendant surrenders to the plaintiff the property that the sheriff was prevented from recovering. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 44.08.