A Muslim family in Clarington, Ont., says it is living a "nightmare" after false allegations of an illegal slaughterhouse on its property transformed from online rumors into real-world harassment, threats and a planned protest.
Mohsin Bhuiyan, who has operated a small hobby farm in the community for the last year, says he and his family have been "terrorized" by those pushing misinformation about his property online, suggesting he is running an "illegal slaughterhouse" on site.
"We cannot sleep at night because they're taking pictures. We do not know who is coming and who is passing by," he told CBC News.
The harassment began approximately one month ago after screenshots circulated on social media claiming the farm was slaughtering Canadian geese and operating an illegal business, Bhuiyan said.
That triggered a series of unannounced inspections from four different regulatory bodies, he said, including Ontario's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Clarington bylaw officers, building inspectors and Durham Region's public health unit. CBC News has seen letters from all four bodies, suggesting there was no indication of a slaughterhouse on the property.
"This letter confirms your premises is in compliance with OMFA regulations," reads a letter from the ministry sent on June 15.
CBC News has requested further comment from the ministry.
The Municipality of Clarington told CBC News that following a thorough investigation, it found "no evidence" of illegal...
A Muslim family in Clarington, Ont., says it is living a "nightmare" after false allegations of an illegal slaughterhouse on its property transformed from online rumors into real-world harassment,...