A dog owner in Toronto found himself at the receiving end of animal lovers’ wrath. The owner had allegedly left the Rottweiler in a locked SUV. An animal cruelty investigator found the dog overheating in the sweltering vehicle, smashed the window and rescued the dog.

Seeing that the dog needed more help, the investigator handcuffed the dog owner to the SUV and left him with an angry group of about 15 animal lovers. Two men in the group proceeded to beat up the dog owner; one threw stones, the other banged his head into the car. The dog owner lost three teeth.

Police arrested the two men and charged them with assault, one of them with a weapon. The police also charged the dog owner with cruelty to animals, a criminal offense that gets six months in jail, a stiff $2,000 fine, and a two-year ban against owning animals.

The incident occurred just as the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services is about to release proposed amendments to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act, the province’s legislation on animal welfare. Animal rights activists in the province are seeking amendments that would include inspection rights and impose heavier maximum penalties.

The OSPCA, which regulates all animal cruelty investigators, suspended the investigator for handcuffing the pet owner. The Toronto Humane Society (THS) has protested the suspension saying the investigator was acting well within his powers. The OSPCA and the THS have often been at odds for their different approaches to animal protection.

The THS licenses its investigators to use handcuffs and dog sticks. The OSPCA does not train officers in handcuffs. Over a decade ago, the OSPCA accused the THS of unethical conduct and links to vandalism. The THS questioned the OSPCA Act in court, and asked for the authority to train investigators and for greater control over daily practices. The court denied their petition.

The incident has raised questions on whether the investigator went too far and about the powers of animal investigators in general. The OSPCA maintains the investigator did the right thing in rescuing the dog but the handcuffing of the dog owner was questionable. The THS insists the investigator did nothing wrong and wants the suspension revoked.

The situation has become a bit muddled. But everyone agrees there is need for better legislation to ensure animal protection. The incident has brought the issue of animal cruelty, and of legislation needed to combat it, into the public mind.

One practical lesson is that pet owners should not leave pets in sweltering vehicles, or they will overheat. If you must go out, leave the pet at home, or in the shade, or in an air-conditioned place.

Animal cruelty isn't always an issue of malice; oftentimes, it's an issue of neglect. The harsh reality is that many families simply can't afford to pay the high vet bills associated with  animal care. Fortunately, you can find animal health insurance to help mitigate these costs. Pet insurance is the best way to make sure your dog or cat gets his shots and medical care they deserve. Please don't neglect your pet's health this season, buy pet insurance and show you care.

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg