Oh yes, we need tougher animal cruelty laws in Canada!

February, 2009 (See also Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) to vote on whether government should put more money toward animal welfare - obviously, we need to).

Stronger federal animal cruelty legislation demanded after dogs hammered


A New Brunswick woman is urging that federal animal cruelty laws be revised after a man accused of killing five small dogs with a hammer was acquitted of any charges earlier this month.

The woman, a volunteer at the Oromocto and Area SPCA and a pet owner herself, was outraged after the man was found not guilty when he appeared in court. He had been charged under five counts of cruelty after SPCA officers visited his kennel. The man then struck and killed the Pomeranians before the officials seized the animals. Reports indicate that only one survived.

According to a recent article, the man was found guilty on one count under the Criminal Code, for injuring a dog. He was also found guilty under the provincial act of three counts of failing to provide adequate water for the animals. In the same article, NB SPCA Chief Animal Protection Officer Paul Melanson indicates they “rarely pursue charges under Section 446 of the Criminal Code because it is too hard to prove.”

Federal and provincial politicians in New Brunswick, as well as municipal Councillors have spoken out about the need for tougher animal cruelty legislation under the Criminal Code as well as in the New Brunswick SPCA Act.

Source: “N.B. woman urges change to animal cruelty laws after hammering of dogs,” Canadian Press, February 4, 2009.