The Ontario legislature passed a bill yesterday which will overhaul the province's 90-year-old Animal Protection Act.
Proponents of the bill state that the province's stance on issues such as animal cruelty will go from worst to first. Naysayers to the news state that the move will give too much unchecked power to protection agencies, which will in turn cause problems for farmers trying to do their jobs.
The bill ensures that people who abuse animals will face jail, stiffer fines and a lifetime ban on animal ownership. Exceptions for wildlife, agriculture and veterinary practices are part of the bill.
"The [Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals] enforcement officers only require two weeks of training before they get police powers, and to understand animal husbandry and livestock care takes far greater than two weeks," said Progressive Conservative Randy Hillier, who represents Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington.
"To convey all this authority onto a novice with two weeks of police training, and take away any political accountability – we're just asking for trouble."
To read an article by The Toronto Star, click here.
(With files from The Toronto Star)