Having read and reflected upon this post, and having also just reread the PCA Act, I have to agree that under its current wording the Act allows the BC SPCA to quite directly seize animals. The only shortcomings I can see lie in the vague definition of distress.The defintion of distress needs improvement, enough improvement so that it is not left to the opinion of the investigating officer.

And I agree with AAS, that to remove any of the three steps currently required before an animal may be seized could also result in too much power being left in the hands of the investigating officer.
Human beings abuse power. History will attest to that.

What is required is an Act that more closely defines what constitutes breaking the law, not an Act that allows the officers more leeway to arrest. That is how a civilized society works. Preventing cruelty need not involve police state tactics when the crime is accurately identified.

The BC SPCA needs to more accurately define the crime, not give the officers bigger guns.

Jennifer Dickson
Okanagan Animal Welfare Foundation