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Write to the Justice Minister asking him to table a bill similar to Mark Holland’s Bill C-229. Tell him that increasing the penalties was not enough and they must finish the job of bringing Canada’s animal cruelty law out of the 19th Century. We have included a sample letter that you can use as is or modify.
Write to your MP as well! Not sure how to reach your MP? Click here or call 1-800-622-6232 to find their contact information. Remember, you can send a letter to your MP’s Parliament Hill office postage free!
The Honourable Rob Nicholson
Minister of Justice
Parliament Buildings
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Dear Honourable Mr. Nicholson,
I am writing today to ask you to bring forward a bill similar to C-229 to amend the animal cruelty sections of the Criminal Code. Passing Bill S-203 last year was not enough. In fact, it was wrong to pass that bill to increase the penalties without addressing the inadequate offences. There is no point increasing penalties when so many cases can’t even be prosecuted, let alone convicted.
Canada’s federal animal cruelty law is archaic and full of loopholes that allow many animal abusers to escape prosecution. It was written in 1892 and does not properly protect animals from cruelty, nor does it reflect the views of today’s society. Our current law is far behind the laws of other developed and even less-developed countries.
Bill C-229 is virtually identical to the bill that had the support of animal protection groups, animal use industries, veterinarians and all parties in the House of Commons in 2003. It is not a radical bill and will not have any impact on lawful uses of animals such as hunting, fishing, trapping and farming.
I ask you to think of all the animals that have been starved to death, burned in microwaves, beaten, bound and dragged behind cars. They need a law that will protect them from such heinous acts of cruelty — and C-229 is it.
Sincerely,
