Animal cruelty still goes unpunished in Canada.

It's been one year since Parliament amended Canada's animal cruelty laws to increase the jail time and other penalties for animal abuse. Recent headlines show that little has changed.

Animal abusers continue to escape punishment

Offenders and their lawyers continue to exploit flaws and loopholes in the law to get off with a mere slap on the wrist or no penalty at all. The burden of proof that Crown Attorneys, police and SPCA investigators must meet in order to successfully prosecute these crimes is too high since it's virtually impossible to prove that the cruelty was 'wilful' in its intent and 'unnecessary'.

The dog in the picture above was nicknamed 'Lucky' because he narrowly escaped death. His neck and back were broken, he was also malnourished, dehydrated and covered in bed sores. The perpetrator received a $50 fine.

We need modern legislation now.

We need the government of Canada to pass modern and enforceable legislation that protects all animals from cruelty and abuse. Animals matter to Canadians - it's time to reflect this in our laws.

Please take a moment to send a letter to the Minister of Justice, Rob Nicholson, as he has the authority to strengthen the animal cruelty provisions in the Criminal Code.

Make it personal

Convincing and personal letters are more likely to bring about change. You could answer the question "Why do animals matter to you?", include an example of an animal cruelty case in Canada that went unpunished or just reword and reorganize the template we've prepared for you.

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Keep me informed by email

Hon. Robert Nicholson, P.C, M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street
Ottawa K1A 0H8

Subject

Dear Minister,

I am outraged by recent accounts of animal abusers escaping with a mere slap on the wrist or no penalty at all.  It is appalling that the current law cannot successfully be used against someone who would bash his dogs’ heads in with a hammer.

I recognize that the penalty for animal cruelty crimes was increased last year; however these stiffer penalties are meaningless without also fixing the loopholes that allow many animal abusers to walk away unpunished.

If the government is serious about building safer communities, it should not ignore the strong relationship between crimes against animals and crimes against people. Research shows that people who abuse animals are more likely to commit future acts of violence against people. Stronger animal cruelty legislation would help stop this cycle of violence.

Our laws should recognize that animals have the capacity to experience pain and suffering just like you and I. Furthermore, all animals should be equally protected from cruelty and abuse regardless of whether they are owned or not – they suffer just the same. It’s time Canada fixed the loopholes that make it virtually impossible to prosecute people who are guilty of neglecting animals and moved animal cruelty out of the property section of the Criminal Code to reflect the more serious nature of these crimes.

Please act on behalf of the vast majority of Canadians who want modern and effective animal cruelty legislation that will protect all animals from deliberate and reckless acts of cruelty and ensure that offenders are justly punished for their crimes. It is clearly the right thing to do.

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