URGENT MESSAGE TO CANADIAN VETERINARIANS CONCERNING ANIMAL CRUELTY LEGISLATION

Feb 07 ... For years, efforts have been made to update archaic animal cruelty legislation that has remained virtually unchanged in the Criminal Code dating back to 1892.  The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), along with many other groups involved with animal welfare, have helped Parliament draft legislation that provides adequate welfare protection for animals, while also offering adequate protection to legitimate animal use activities, including hunting, angling, farming, and scientific research.  A current version of this legislation is Bill C-373.  It recognizes that animals are sentient and feeling creatures worthy of protection for their own sake; replaces the term 'willful neglect' with the term 'negligent'; defines what an animal is; and increases the penalties for convicted offenders.
 
In contrast to these efforts, Senator Bryden has introduced Bill S-213. This Bill proposes increased punishments for killing or harming animals, but does not address the flaws in the current legislation to allow for sufficient means to pursue animal cruelty offenders.   Despite the CVMA appearing before the Senate Standing Committee in December 2006 to voice its objections to Bill S-213, the Senate has approved it.  This Bill is scheduled for first reading in the House of Commons on February 26th, 2007.  The CVMA  is deeply concerned that if the work of the last 8 years on proper legislation is ignored in favour of Bill S-213, it will be a long time before real, effective changes to the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code are passed through Parliament.

The CVMA needs your help to prevent Bill S-213 from becoming law.  We are hearing strong signals in Ottawa that this legislation could be pushed through quickly.  Please contact your local MP (in writing or by phone) before February 26th, 2007.  Tell them that you do not support Bill S-213, and instead support Bill C-373.

For MP contact information, log onto canada.gc.ca/directories/direct_e.html#mp and enter your postal code. Simply click on your MP's name, and then click on "Contact Information" to find his or her e-mail address. Click on their e-mail address, and attach the sample letter provided below and send the e-mail to your MP.

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Letter to Member of Parliament

Dear Member of Parliament:

Canada's current animal cruelty law was originally drafted in 1892. While other less developed countries have since updated their animal cruelty laws, Canada's laws have remained virtually unchanged from their original form.  It is imperative that we modify this law and close the gaping loopholes that allow animal abusers to escape prosecution. This is not an 'animal rights' issue; it is about protecting animals from criminal animal cruelty. Current legislation - even with increased fines and penalties - allows many perpetrators of crimes against animals to escape prosecution. Our communities need a law to address this heinous form of violence in our society.

Several Bills have been presented over the past eight years to amend the animal cruelty sections of the Criminal Code. In 2003, Bill C-50 was introduced and received support from all parties of the House of Commons, and the vast majority of Canadians. This support includes animal protection groups, animal industry groups such as farmers and trappers and animal researchers. Unfortunately, the Senate did not pass this Bill.

In December 2006 the Senate passed Bill S-213, a private member's Bill tabled by Senator Bryden. This Bill makes no changes to the archaic and inadequate legislation, but only increases the penalties. In effect, if this Bill passes through Parliament, we will be stuck with the same flawed 1892 legislation simply adjusted for inflation. This is simply NOT good enough and the House of Commons must stop this Bill. As a constituent in your riding, I am asking you NOT to support Bill S-213 and instead, ask the government to introduce meaningful legislation that will properly protect animals from cruelty and abuse. There is no point increasing penalties when heinous acts of animal cruelty will continue to go unpunished.

I urge you to take a strong stand against animal cruelty - a horrific form of violence in our society that needs to be stopped. I look forward to your response on this important issue.

Sincerely,