animal cruelty in Canada - new law?

Saje · Nov 1, 2006

I don't know if this is the place to post this or not so move it if necessary.

I just got this in our office mailbox. Might be a good time to start writing letters Please crosspost!

Dear Editor,

Many Albertans were shocked and outraged to learn of the torture of a
Labrador-border collie cross named Daisy Duke last month in Didsbury. The
poor dog had its legs and mouth bound with duct tape, and she was dragged
a kilometre behind a vehicle, leaving a trail of blood. As a result of her
injuries, she was euthanized, and her owner and a juvenile have been
charged.

Coincidentally, I had been preparing to reintroduce a private memberÕs
bill in the House of Commons on animal cruelty. Earlier versions of my
bill were put forward by the government in every parliament since 1999,
but failed to pass when the House and Senate couldnÕt agree on amendments.
My bill, C-373, was introduced on October 30, and it is identical to the
former Bill C-50. The current Criminal Code provisions on animal cruelty
have changed very little since 1892 and are hopelessly outdated.

This is an issue that must cut across party differences, and I hope to
work with MPs from all political parties to ensure its passage. The rules
for private membersÕ bills make it difficult to pass them, and therefore I
am asking Canadians to urge the government to adopt this as a government
bill.

In the seven years that this bill has been debated, there has been
enormous effort to strike the right balance between the need to protect
animals from intentional cruelty, and the need to recognize the legitimate
rights of hunters, anglers, farmers and others who use animals responsibly
for sport or their livelihoods. This bill achieves that balance.

Those who engage in serious violent crimes such as serial murder often
start by abusing animals, which can be an early indicator of crimes
against people. Therefore, effective animal cruelty legislation can allow
the justice system to intervene early with people who might go on to other
serious crimes.

Please encourage your Member of Parliament to work with me on this
important initiative. ItÕs time we stand up for our four-legged friends.

Sincerely,

Mark Holland, M.P.
Ajax-Pickering, ON
(613) 995-8042
hollam@parl.gc.ca
[ file://www.markholland.ca ]www.markholland.ca

PS. Editors: I have written the above as a letter to the editor. I am also
enclosing my news release on this. I encourage you to do your own stories
with a local angle, talking with staff at animal shelters in your area. If
you wish to interview me, please call my Executive Assistant, Richard
McGuire, at (613) 995-8614.
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animal cruelty in Canada - new law?

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