Globe and Mail
Letter to the Editor:

Liberal Senator John Bryden (Bill S-213) and Liberal MP Mark Holland (Bill C-373) seek to amend federal animal cruelty laws.
Currently animal legislation in Ontario (municipal, provincial, federal) is enforced by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA).

According to Better Farming Magazine April 2006 “…confrontations between the OSPCA and farmers or livestock owners whose premises have been raided or whose animals have been seized have been numerous and bitter.” Criminal charges increased seven-fold between 2000 (97) and 2004 (695).

The power to determine what constitutes “suitable and adequate food, water, air, shelter and care” and, in the case of MPP David Zimmer’s proposed Zoo Bill (Bill 154), what constitutes an “appropriate social environment”, “species-typical behaviour” or “appropriate …environmental enrichment” lies in the hands of OSPCA Inspectors who have a high school diploma and two weeks training.

Spring 2006 twenty-nine OSPCA directors resigned demanding the province strip the OSPCA of police powers.

Investigation and enforcement of complex, subjectively worded legislation should be in the hands of an experienced, accountable police force, not in the hands of a politically active, autonomous private charity.

Unquestionably - strong, enforceable animal cruelty legislation is necessary – BUT WHO GETS THE POWER?

Sunny Reuter
reformanimalcrueltyact@gmail.com