e-509 (Cruelty to animals)

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled

• Canada’s animal cruelty legislation falls far behind most developed countries;
• Cruelty laws in Canada remain largely unchanged since 1892, having only minor amendments. They continue to contain loopholes that prevent the successful prosecution of many animal abuse/cruelty cases;
• In Canada it is an offence to engage in animal fighting, but not to train animals to fight, or accept money from animal fighting. The requirement to catch perpetrators in the act makes it very difficult to prosecute cases;
• Current laws offer little punishment for puppy mill owners; many simply pay their fine and continue to operate;
• Less than 10% of cases warranting prosecution are successfully prosecuted; and
• Bill C-246's inclusion of section 182.4 makes it explicit that sections 8(3) and 429(2) of the Criminal Code continue to apply, giving assurances to hunters, farmers, fishermen, and researchers that all existing legal justifications and excuses continue to apply so that traditionally accepted practices are not endangered. It instead targets criminal animal abuse by closing loopholes in regards to animal fighting, creating new offences for individuals who cause unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal through gross negligence of the animal’s welfare, and amending terminology, improving chances for successful prosecution of offenders.