SPCA able to act faster
More power for agency to get evidence
Kent Spencer, The Province; with a file from Canwest News Service
Published: Friday, March 07, 2008

Distressed animals can be quickly helped under proposed amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, says Agriculture Minister Pat Bell.

The amendments would allow the SPCA to respond faster to emergencies.

"The amendments increase the authority of the SPCA to enter premises and vehicles to collect evidence," Bell told The Province.
Roosters lie dead at an alleged cockfighting venue in Surrey.View Larger Image View Larger Image
Roosters lie dead at an alleged cockfighting venue in Surrey.
Jon Murray, The Province

Instead of appearing before a judge to get a warrant, he said, SPCA officers would now get a warrant over the phone.

In one incident, Kootenay officials knew there was an animal in distress, but were unable to enter the premises, he said.

"This will ensure that officers in remote locations can intervene before it's too late," he said.

Officers would also be able to act quickly if they find an animal in an overheated car and must remove it immediately.

The changes came one week after what has been described as the largest cockfighting bust in Canadian history.

SPCA officials were critical of the current laws after raiding three suspected cockfighting sites in Surrey and destroying more than 1,200 birds.

The amendments proposed yesterday include an increase in the penalties for cruelty convictions. First offences used to carry a maximum fine of $2,000. That has been raised to $5,000 and up to six months in jail. The maximum fine for the second offence is $10,000 and up to six months in jail.

Another amendment has to do with the care of seized animals. The SPCA can now charge the owner for the cost of caring for a distressed animal that has been seized.

"The SPCA are the same as peace officers, but they didn't have the same authority," said Bell. "The law was cumbersome. We wanted to clear that up."