Please Support Bill 50
At Queen's Park on April 3, 2008, Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci introduced Bill 50, the 'Provincial Animal Welfare Act,' to a standing ovation. The Bill seeks to overhaul the 89-year-old Ontario SPCA Act to widen the definition of animal cruelty, improve the Ontario SPCA's ability to address critical animal welfare issues, and allow investigators to bring more abusers to justice.
If passed, Bill 50 will transform Ontario's weak animal protection laws into some of the toughest animal protection laws in the country. Key changes include:
- Establishing new provincial offences against animal cruelty, including: causing or permitting distress, training or allowing animals to fight, and obstructing an Ontario SPCA Inspector or Agent.
- Giving judges greater flexibility to impose stiffer penalties, including jail time, fines up to $60,000 and a potential lifetime ban of owning an animal of any kind.
- Providing for inspection powers; allowing investigators to inspect premises where animals are kept for the purpose of exhibit, entertainment, boarding, sale or hire.
- Allowing the Society to apply for custody of an animal victim while the case is still in the courts; preventing the Society from having to return an animal to the owner during a trial if cause for concern is shown.
Learn more about the importance of Bill 50 and its significance to animals in Ontario.
Bill 50: Provincial Animal Welfare Act
Voice your support
Contact your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to voice your support today!
On behalf of the animals in Ontario, thank you!
