MEDIA RELEASE

Animal cruelty on the rise in Ontario.
Drastic increases in animal cruelty statistics highlight urgent need for financial support for animal protection and care.

Newmarket, Ont. (10 September, 2004) -
The number of animal cruelty charges laid by the Ontario SPCA and its affiliated humane societies under the Criminal Code of Canada and provincial legislation in 2003 was up by 175% over the previous year, from 176 in 2002 to 485 in 2003. Over the last five years there has been a six-fold increase in the number of charges!

Other statistics compiled by the Society are also showing significant increases: the number of search warrants executed and Orders issued (requiring improvements in care or medical treatment, for example) have both more than doubled over the last five years; the number of animals seized or abandoned and taken into care by investigators has almost doubled over the same period, from 2,768 in 1999 to 5,264 in 2003.

The dramatic rise in statistics reflects a much higher level of seriousness both in the cases themselves and in the action taken by the Society to combat crimes against animals.

"By far the majority of cases we prosecute involve neglect," says Ontario SPCA Chief Inspector Michael Draper. "In addition to cases involving often severe neglect of individual animals, the last year has seen many cases involving large numbers of animals - farm and exotic animals as well as companion animals. Thousands of dead and dying animals at a major pig farming operation, herds of emaciated cattle, 65 animals at an abandoned zoo, a case involving the seizure of 200 exotic animals, 39 sled dogs that needed care for over a year, and numerous puppy mills are just some of the welfare disasters we dealt with in 2003."

The Ontario SPCA has developed a highly trained and highly professional Investigations Department with 205 Inspectors and Agents across the province providing more animal protection and enforcement of legislation than ever before.

This increasing workload, and the increased need for animal care that goes with it, is placing huge demands on the Society's resources. "It is a constant battle to keep up with the need," says Ontario SPCA Chief Executive Officer Judy Marshall. "The Ontario SPCA is a charitable organization. Although we are mandated by legislation to enforce animal cruelty and welfare law in Ontario, the Society receives only a small grant from the government, less than 1% of our annual budget, which is designated towards the cost of Inspector and Agent training programs. All the work of saving animals' lives is only made possible by the wonderful support of donors and fundraising initiatives. We need that support more than ever."

To help the animals make a donation by calling 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 322.

To report suspected animal abuse call the Ontario SPCA at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722)
extension 1, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), your local Ontario SPCA Branch,
affiliated humane society or police.

Available for download:
A selection of photographs from the Ontario SPCA Investigations Department Involving animals whose owners were convicted of cruelty charges.
(Please note: these pictures may be found disturbing)
http://www.ospca.on.ca/images/pr/PR_Sept10_2004/index.html

Ontario SPCA statistics charts.
http://www.ospca.on.ca/pr_pdf/StatsCharts99to04.pdf

For media enquiries, please call: Brian Pemberton, Director of Communications
1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 308, bpemberton@ospca.on.ca
or Chief Inspector Mike Draper, 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 317,
cell 416-717-4223, mdraper@ospca.on.ca

A word about the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA):
Protecting animals since 1873, the Ontario SPCA is a registered charity comprised of 27 branches and 32 affiliated humane societies and SPCAs. Under the OSPCA Act, Ontario SPCA investigators have the same powers as police officers when enforcing animal cruelty laws. The Society’s concern is ensuring the welfare of all animals – large and small, wild and domesticated – through cruelty investigations, animal care and rehabilitation, government and industry advocacy, and public education.
Charitable Business Number 88969-1044-RR0002