I am pleased to announce that some new animal cruelty legislation passed in the Ontario legislature a few weeks ago (Bill 50, the Provincial Animal Welfare Act) which ensures that people who abuse animals will face jail, stiffer fines and a lifetime ban on animal ownership.

Facts About Bill 50:

- Had not changed for almost 90 years
- Now makes it a provincial offence to cause distress to an animal
- Now carries more severe penalties, which include jail terms, and fines up to $60,000.
- Now allows Ontario SPCA agents inspection rights at facilities where animals are kept for sale, exhibit, entertainment or hire.
- Now allows humane societies and SPCAs to apply for custody of an animal victim while a cruelty case is in the courts, preventing the return of an animal to an owner if cause for its safety is an issue.

People who inflict pain and suffering on animals now may get a punishment that fits closer with their crime. Ontario has gone from having some of the worst animal protection laws to some of the strictist around. Congratulations to the provincial government of Ontario and its people for making this happen. Each year, the OHS responds to over 1,500 emergency calls regarding animal abuse, neglect and cruelty. Only about one per cent of the investigations lead to charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, or the OSPCA Act. Loopholes in the previous outdated legislation made it incredibly difficult to prove intent in cases of animal abuse, and even more difficult to prosecute those cases. The new legislation will offer animal rescue agents more flexibility in seeking justice for animal victims.

Although the OHS is legally mandated to enforce federal and provincial animal cruelty provisions, it does not receive any government funding, or funding from any animal welfare group to perform this essential work. They take care of 11,000 animals each and every year and their resources are stretched to the limit. They rely on donors to pay for our entire animal rescue operation. Bill 50 is a good first step, but now they need the funding to ensure this protection can actually happen.