SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Dog Rescue Incident Shows Need for Stiffer Law  

Dog Rescue Incident Shows Need for Stiffer Law
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Staff Writer on 08/19/07 09:15:00
 
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.