WELFARE - Bill Tabled to Compel Transparency as USDA Reposts Some Animal Welfare Data

The backlash from the USDA’s removal of animal welfare information from its website has resulted in the organization restoring some of that information to its site.

Still missing are the majority of reports from regular inspections of animal-holding facilities that are monitored under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), including puppy producers and zoos.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, stated in a release: “This is an important turnaround and a good start, but the USDA has a lot more to do here. Lawmakers, the press, animal advocates, and even the regulated community want transparency and accessible records.”

The USDA’s purging of its site resulted in a variety of organizations suing them.

A group of 18 senators wrote a letter to the USDA voicing their concerns about the removal of information and 101 members of congress sent a letter to the President stating: “We join a broad coalition of organizations - from animal welfare groups to pet store chains, biomedical research groups, and accredited zoos and aquariums - in urging the agency to restore comprehensive online, searchable access to these documents immediately in order to maintain ongoing transparency.”

This week the Animal Welfare Accountability and Transparency Act was introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR).

This bill would compel the USDA to restore open, online access to information detailing the quality of animal care in facilities regulated by the Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act (HPA).

The bill takes an additional step for animal protection by preventing AWA and HPA violators from taking advantage of certain tax benefits.

Individuals who are concerned about the removal of the information are still being urged by the ASPCA to sign their petition as they watch the progress of the bill. 

LEGISLATION - Law Lets Shelters do Background Checks on Adopters

A new law in Michigan can provide greater protection for animals.

House Bill No.4353 gives shelters the ability to do criminal background checks on potential adopters.

If the adopter has a criminal history of animal abuse, the organization can refuse the adoption.

Earlier versions of the bill would have required a criminal background check, but the bill that passed simply gives the organization the ability to use the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).

Adoption Centres "may choose not to allow an individual who has been convicted of an animal abuse offense to adopt an animal unless a period of at least five years has elapsed since the date of his or her conviction."

The legislation was called Logan's Law after a March 2012 incident in which a Wales Township husky named Logan was blinded by an acid burn. The dog died a few months later.

Unlike earlier revisions of Logan’s Law that included an animal abuse registry, using the ICHAT system for criminal background checks will come at little to no cost to the state.

RESEARCH - Participate in Cat and Wild Bird Study

The issue of bird mortality caused by cats has long been a concern for people involved with birds around the world.

In an effort to understand people’s experience with and perception of wild birds and cats, the University of Guelph (U of G) has created a new study.

This new study is part of a larger body of research by the U of G.

They recently released an outdoor cat population study they completed in the city of Guelph.

Based on 145 surveys, the city has about 7,600 outdoor cats, up to 50 per city block. Guelph is home to 120,000 people.

The researchers counted cats on city streets, paths and alleys, and estimated totals for each survey area. The approach uses information readily available in most urban areas in North America, they said.

“The study was done using techniques that are easy, quick and cheap, providing an opportunity to apply the method to any community that is interested in knowing their number of free-roaming outdoor cats,” lead author Tyler Flockhart, a Liber Ero post-doctoral researcher at U of G, said in a release.

“The hope is that we can bring together cat supporters and bird advocates to take actions to improve cat welfare and reduce the effect of outdoor cats on birds.”

You are invited to participate by taking the study which examines perceptions of wild birds and outdoor cats.

Participants can enter for a chance to win $100 (odds are 1 in 250)!

Participation involves the completion of two short online surveys and the viewing of a short interactive online video, all done in one sitting.

The survey will take approximately 20 minutes in total and all participants must be 18 years of age or older.

If you are interested in participating please click on this link.

You are invited to widely distribute/ pass on this survey link to your contacts.

Contact Kenlyn Ramsey with any questions or concerns regarding this study. Research Ethics Board Approved (REB# 16JN033)

LEGISLATION - Updated Animal Cruelty Bill Defeated...Again

The decades-long lobby to amend Canada’s animal cruelty laws hit another dead end this week.

A private member’s bill from a Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine - Bill C-246, The Modernizing Animal Protections Act - was defeated at second reading by a vote of 198 to 84.

Bill C-246 sought to ban the import of shark fins, as well as the sale of cat and dog fur in Canada. It also aimed to amend Criminal Code provisions related to animal abuse, negligence, fighting, and bestiality.

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), along with animal welfare organizations across the country, have been calling on the government to make changes to the animal cruelty sections of the Criminal Code of Canada for over 25 years.

“While countries all over the world have updated or enacted effective animal cruelty legislation, Canada remains in the Victorian era with a federal animal cruelty law that was introduced in 1892,” the CFHS website states.

The long and winding road to change the laws began with Bill C-17 in 1999, which died shortly after it was tabled when an election was called.

The Liberal government reintroduced the bill several times and it repeatedly died because of prorogation of parliament.

In 2003, Bill C-10B got the hopes of animal lovers across the country up as it was supported by all parties in the House of Commons, but the Senate blocked its passage.

Multiple bills have been tabled, read, debated and Bill C-592 even passed second reading in 2014 but did not become law.

The defeat of C-246 was yet another setback for those lobbying for better protection for animals.

“I’m very disappointed that our Parliament didn’t stand up for animals today and refer the bill to committee,” said Barbara Cartwright, CEO of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

“Animals are going to continue to be open to sexual abuse, stuck in fighting rings and being neglected — all without enforcement being able to do anything about it because of the way the legislation is written. As the representative for SPCAs and humane societies across the country, it’s a sad day.”

Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, pointed out that 92 percent of Canadians surveyed want stronger animal cruelty laws.

“The fact is we can’t continue to treat animals like tables and chairs. Our cruelty laws need to be strong enough to be able to punish people to the full extent of the law when animals are abused,” Labchuk told iPolitics, noting Canada has some of the worst animal cruelty legislation in the western world.

In fact, the World Animal Protection Organization’s Animal Protection Index, released in 2014, gave Canada a ‘D’.

They cited a number of issues including: the outdated legislation; rules around farm animal transportation that allow animals to go for two days without food, water and rest; and inconsistent protection for wild animals.

Leading the way on the index with ‘A’ ratings were the U.K., Switzerland, Austria and New Zealand. Canada ranked below developing countries such as Brazil, India and the Philippines.

Judging by the number of times animal welfare organizations and individuals across the country have supported new legislation, circulated petitions and called for change, the defeat of C-246 will not be the end.

It’s clear after 25 years of effort, the push for change will continue.

LEGISLATION - Bill Proposed to Help Dogs in Hot Cars

The B.C. NDP are hopeful that the Christy Clark government will take a bill proposed to assist animals in distress seriously.

The Distressed Animal Act 2016 was proposed by New Democrat MLA Selena Robinson in last week’s legislature ‑ with the objective to be passed before summer – and would grant bylaw enforcement the authority to seize distressed animals from hot vehicles with improper ventilation, even breaking vehicles windows when necessary to do so.

“We cannot have another summer with animals dying while left alone in hot vehicles, it is time to act,” Robinson said last week, adding that the bill has widespread municipal support.

According to Robinson, the BC SPCA received 850 reports of animals left unattended in hot vehicles in 2013 and 1,000 reports in 2014.

While police officers have the authority to assist animals in distress, Robinson said these resources may be better spent elsewhere; presently, the 26 BC SPCA animal protection officers often have to call on the police to assist with animals in hot cars.

The legislation would amend the Motor Vehicle Act, the Community Charter and Vancouver Charter to ensure safer transportation of animals in vehicles and would require that animals are provided with proper ventilation and protection from extreme weather when being transported or are left unattended in vehicles.

According to the bill, adequate ventilation means access to airflow through a space of at least 500 cm squared; and extreme temperature is defined as 27 degrees Celsius or higher in an enclosed space; temperatures above that can feel like more than twice that hot to a dog in a confined space with no airflow.

The B.C. SPCA has a section devoted to pets in hot cars on their website, outlining the dos and don’ts over leaving pets unattended in (hot) vehicles, including emergency veterinary care resources and symptoms that pets are experiencing heat stroke.

They caution pet owners to not rely on air conditioning systems in vehicles, which can malfunction when left unattended.

By Lindsay Seewalt

Lindsay is an experienced journalist and mother of three whose heart and home is always open to a four-legged friend. With her Corgi, Angie, as household editor-in-chief, Lindsay gives back to the animal planet through the written word on anything and all ado about pets. She is passionate about topics regarding animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, which she aims to instill in both her readers and children to be compassionate animal lovers who are conscious and considerate that furry friends around the globe deserve a voice.

Quebec Bill Deems Animals Sentient Beings

Last June the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) ranked Quebec as 12th out of the 13 Canadian provinces and territories based on their animal protection laws. ALDF considered Quebec to be “the best province in which to mistreat an animal.”

Quebec animals are now considered “sentient beings” instead of property. The Minister of Agriculture, Pierre Paradis is hoping to change Quebec’s reputation. Bill 54 has the goal of “enshrining animals in Quebec’s Civil Code as sentient beings — that is, feeling and sensing life forms — with their own “biological imperatives,” and not as “furniture” or other movable assets.” The bill highlights the desire of Quebec’s government to punish animal cruelty and is modeled after European legislation (legislation identity was not revealed). Bill 54 has also taken into consideration the animal protection laws in Manitoba, British Columbia, and Ontario.

Fines for those that commit offenses against animals have doubled and range from $500 CDN to $250,000 CDN. Offenders may also receive up to 18 months in prison. Quebec Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee said, “Bill 54 is written in a way that reflects how legislation positively evolves in response to society’s own advancements.”

l’Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) said that the bill provides flexibility to allow for currently accepted farming practices within the national codes of practice for livestock care and husbandry. UPA said, “[The bill] demonstrates increased public concern, both in Quebec and elsewhere, for the well-being of animals, and that the public wants assurance of humane practices in housing, shipping and slaughter of livestock, as well as safe and responsibly-produced food. For Quebec producers, mistreating an animal, regardless of the circumstances, is an unacceptable action and should be strongly reprimanded.”

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