In a meeting with Humane Initiative over 2 years ago, Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner admitted that he was fully aware of the “disconnect” and “lack of consistency” among the 40+ number of separate police services in regard to how they respond to animal cruelty.
Many police officers do not understand that there is a criminal code statute that makes wilfully causing or permitting an animal to unnecessary pain, suffering or injury is a criminal offence.
Yes, A CRIME!
Canadian Criminal Code – Causing unnecessary suffering
- 445.1(1) Every one commits an offence who
- (a) wilfully causes or, being the owner, wilfully permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird;
Despite it being a crime and therefore should be investigated by police and if warranted adjudicated as a criminal offence…..many acts of animal cruelty are not! And the abuser goes on their way facing no consequences.
It is widely understood there is a clear correlation between abuse animal and human abuse.
It is our personal experience that many police services throughout Ontario are not even aware of animal cruelty being a criminal offence. In many – actually most cases police will put their hands up stating they do not deal with animal related issues – “call PAWS”.
Animal Welfare Services (AWS) has no authority to lay criminal charges. They only have authority to charge under the Provincial Offences Act.
But AWS Inspectors do have every authority and dare I say responsibility to bring to police attention cases where they feel the level of cruelty they are investigating rises to the level of a criminal offence (see above definition). BUT THEY ARE NOT!
And if, and that is a big if…if AWS presses Provincial Offences Act charges..the charges are often dismissed by the Crown due to many factors.
The plan and sad truth if the police, Provincial Animal Welfare Services, the government do not see animal cruelty as a serious issue.
A big clue….Provincial Offences Court where animal cruelty “trials” are held are like traffic court – yes traffic court!
In every case we have been involved in where the severity of cruelty clearly rises to the criminal level, AWS is NOT engaging with the police in that jurisdiction to ask them to investigate and if warranted lay charges.
Examples:
- Hamilton – Jessica Kippen (Kippen Cares)
- Peterborough – Katelyn Lidkea (4 Lucky Paws Rescue)
- Niagara – Carly Young – Dakota
- Perth – Johanna Cake (Eastern Ontario Cats)
In every single one of these cases noted above…the level of suffering these animals – many resulting in their horrific deaths endured and the people responsible faced NO police investigation and faced NO criminal charges!!!
If fact, in each of the above 4 cases…it was only due to public outrage and pressure that even AWS investigated.
The animal welfare system in Ontario is broken.
Premier Doug Ford has no appetite to address this.
Toronto CTV News reports on a horrific case of animal cruelty…police messed up the case. A complete lack of taking animal cruelty serious!!!!
