The Ontario government will expand the powers available to animal welfare inspectors and boost its penalties for animal cruelty offenses in legislation expected to be introduced Wednesday.
The province said in a release Wednesday that the overhaul of its Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act will allow “appropriate exemptions” in cases involving animal agriculture, veterinary work and wildlife. The province’s press release didn’t specify what practices those exemptions will cover.
The legislation, however, will grant authority to inspectors from the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to inspect premises other than homes where animals are kept for “exhibit, entertainment, boarding, sale or hire.” It will also clarify inspectors’ ability to enter those premises without a warrant when they have “reasonable grounds” to believe an animal is in immediate distress.
Read Also
Canadian Pork Council meets with U.S. and Mexican counterparts
Leaders of the North American pork sector reaffirmed their commitment to producing nutritious, sustainable and affordable pork at a recent trilateral meeting held in Niagara on the Lake, Ont.
OSPCA inspectors will also be allowed to take and keep animals when charges are laid and there are grounds to believe the animal is at risk if returned to its owner. Inspectors will also be able to seize dead animals or take samples for investigation.
The legislation will also require veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse, and will protect them from liability when they do, the province said.
The new legislation, which the province described as the first “comprehensive” amendments to the Act since it was introduced in 1919, also creates a list of new provincial offences including:
- “causing or permitting distress” to an animal;
- training or allowing animals to fight other animals, or owning or possessing equipment or structures for animal fighting;
- “failing to comply with standards of care” for all animals;
- causing harm to a police dog or other law enforcement animal;
- obstructing an OSPCA office or agent; and
- failing to comply with an Animal Care Review Board decision.
The legislation will also set up new penalties for these new offences, including fines of up to $60,000 and, potentially, a lifetime ban on owning animals.
In cases where a minor “owns” an animal, the new legislation will also define “owner” or “custodian” to include that an adult is responsible in such cases. It will also clarify personal responsibility where a corporation or organization owns an animal, the province said.
