LIVE ASIAN MARKET SALES OF TURTLES:

Why has the SPCA never tried to ban the live chopping up of turtles in Asian markets? Why did they tell so many complainants that there was ‘no law being broken’, even though the provincial "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" act allows the SPCA itself to define cruelty and neglect? Here is what a group of schoolchildren saw in Vancouver’s Chinatown: "A turtle cut to pieces before their eyes…the shell removed while the turtle is still struggling and alive. It is a horrifying sight." (Nicholas Read, Sun, Jan13/98) The children called the SPCA. Months later the SPCA still had not called them back. Finally, under the pressure of more columns by Read, the SPCA drafted "guidelines" which must be followed in order for the seller to be given the permit to sell by the Conservation Branch of the Environment Ministry. Guidelines include room to move, water to cover, dry "sitting" area. But this cruelty goes on unabated. And it is reported to the SPCA. Their answer? "It’s a cultural thing, there’s no law against it." Yes - there is no law against it, but has the SPCA ever asked the provincial government for a law against this? "Guidelines" are not law. Guidelines need not be enforced. But guidelines can be used to "prove" the SPCA has done something. Have they ever tried to use their guidelines? Why do they not try to get a merchant’s permit revoked as an example to them all?

From the National Post, December 22/01: "A fishmonger in Helsinki was fined for allowing turbot to suffer unnecessary pain while on sale." Go to Vancouver's Chinatown anytime to see what pain the SPCA calls "cultural differences".

(AAS web page "100 years of what?" created 2002