PCA Act
The B.C. Provincial "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" Act
Much has changed at the SPCA since this article was written, some for the better and some for the worse. Read more: The BC SPCA Now.
Note: the act defines two types of distress: first is plain "in distress" (need a warrant to seize for this), second is "in critical distress" (don't need a warrant to seize for this).
First: Plain Distress: (needs a warrant to seize)
(2) For the purposes of this Act, an animal is in distress if it is
(a) deprived of adequate food, water or shelter,
(b) injured, sick, in pain or suffering, or
(c) abused or neglected.
Second: Critical Distress: (doesn't need a warrant to seize)
*12 (1) In this section, "critical distress" means distress in an animal of such a nature that
(a) immediate veterinary treatment cannot prolong the animal's life, or
(b) prolonging the animal's life would result in the animal suffering unduly.
(2) If, in the opinion of
(a) a registered veterinarian, or
(b) an authorized agent, if a registered veterinarian is not readily available,
an animal is in critical distress, the authorized agent may destroy the animal or have the animal destroyed.
Other important PCA Act links:
- See legal opinion on the requirement to issue an Offence Warning Notice
- See the entire B.C. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
