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The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) and its member humane societies and SPCAs – on behalf of all animals and those who care about animals in Canada – stand behind MP Mark Holland in his recently announced campaign to reform Canada’s animal cruelty laws.
The CFHS commends Mr. Holland for re-introducing the bill last known as Bill C-50, which struck an excellent balance between protection of animals and protection of lawful activities such as fishing, hunting, trapping, farming and scientific research.
Among other changes, Mr. Holland’s new bill will protect wildlife and strays from cruelty and abuse – a new concept, as the current law does not extend adequate protection to these animals. Mr. Holland’s bill removes animal cruelty crimes from the property section of the Criminal Code, and will make it easier to prosecute those who neglect their animals to the extreme.
Mr. Holland understands that the passage of this piece of legislation is key for the protection of animals in Canada. And, given the proven link between violence toward animals and violence toward people, this legislation is also crucial in helping to keep Canadian communities safer.
Above all, Mr. Holland understands that this is an important issue for Canadians. The recent incident of Daisy Duke, the lab-border collie cross tortured in Didsbury, Alberta, was a sad reminder to many Canadians that our current laws are archaic and need to be modernized. The public outcry from Western Canada and across the country are proof that this is an issue near and dear to many voters.
The CFHS does not support Bill S-213, which was introduced earlier this year by Senator John Bryden. This wholly inadequate bill does not close the gaping loopholes in the current legislation that make it extremely difficult to punish animal abusers for their crimes.
For more information on the Criminal Code amendments, please click here.