Humane Societies Applaud Criminal Code Changes

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http://www.cfhs.ca/GeneralInfo/Media/media1.htm

December 1, 1999

 

Animal welfare groups are celebrating Justice Minister Anne McLellan's

announcement of legislation to strengthen the cruelty to animals sections of the

Criminal Code of Canada.

 

" This is a significant advancement for the protection of animals in Canada, "

said an elated Bob Gardiner, Chair of the Status of Animals Committee of the

Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. " The proposed amendments to the

Criminal Code announced today by the Minister of Justice will serve as a

deterrent to crimes against animals. Animal abuse should be considered a serious

offence based on the fundamental moral value of animals as beings capable of

suffering. "

 

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies has urged reform of the Criminal

Code, Cruelty to Animals sections for over 18 years. CFHS has been supported in

its fight by the rapid growth in public concern about animal welfare in the past

two decades. Animal abuse cases horrify people. A kitten was found in a dumpster

after being thrown from a third-floor balcony, then stomped, punched, choked and

spiked. Several dogs have been dragged behind vehicles by their owners recently,

resulting in unspeakable suffering. A farmer allowed a third herd of cattle to

starve to death.

 

Such cases of serious animal cruelty could in future result in penalties of up

to five years imprisonment, increased fines in an amount deemed appropriate by a

judge, and the possibility of up to a lifetime ban on ownership of animals.

 

The new amendments will also move animals from the property section of the

Criminal Code to their own section, a significant step that recognizes that

animals should not be treated in the same way as inanimate objects. " CFHS feels

strongly that the capacity of animals to feel pain and to suffer entitles them

to be moved from the property section of the Criminal Code and we are delighted

Minister McLellan agrees with us, " said Frances Rodenburg, CFHS Executive.

 

The recommendations made by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies for

changes to the Criminal Code are strongly supported by humane societies and

SPCAs across Canada, as well as by other animal protection organizations.

 

" Too many cases of animal cruelty fell through the cracks due to our outdated

legislation, " said Mr. Gardiner. " Humane societies and SPCAs work hard to

provide care and protection for animals, but the current Criminal Code does not

give their peace officers the tools they need to carry out their statutory

mandates to prevent cruelty to animals. "

 

Judges will be given authority to order restitution to animal welfare

organizations who have cared for the animals of a person convicted of animal

abuse. Another significant proposed change in the legislation will allow

successful prosecution of offenders who brutally kill animals. A case in

Edmonton in 1998 sparked public outrage when charges were dismissed against a

person who tied his two dogs to a tree and beat them to death with a baseball

bat. The judge expressed his frustration that such killings were not covered

under Canadian law.

 

CFHS notes that the Criminal Code is intended to deal with individual cases of

serious animal abuse and not to target industries that use animals. CFHS has

worked in cooperation with numerous industries and government for many years to

improve practices that impact animal welfare. Humane societies and their peace

officers, trained to enforce the Criminal Code, do so only in a small percentage

(less than 1%) of all documented complaints. Most cases are handled through

education.

 

" We believe that violence is violence, whether against humans or animals, " said

Ms. Rodenburg. " The public has confirmed it shares that concern. " In fact, the

well-documented link between cruelty to animals and cruelty to people has been a

factor in convincing the federal government to consider changing the Criminal

Code. A common theme among serial killers, and other violent offenders is a

history of torturing and killing animals, before moving on to humans. Most of

the children responsible for the school shootings in the past two years had

abused animals. CFHS and its member societies have sponsored seminars bringing

together social workers, enforcement officers and others to increase their

awareness of the link between animal cruelty and human violence.

 

CFHS congratulates Justice Minister McLellan for her leadership in bringing to

Parliament reform of the Criminal Code which will afford improved protection for

animals from cruelty and abuse. " A society's treatment of animals is a measure

of its degree of civilization, " said Ms. Rodenburg.

 

 

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