Ontario proposes stronger animal protection laws
Posted October 10, 2012 1:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Ontario government has proposed changes to current animal protection laws in the wake of alleged neglect at Marineland.
Correctional services minister Madeleine Meilleur said the changes to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act would improve care for marine mammals at the dozens of aquariums and zoos in the province and strengthen animal welfare enforcement.
“There is no place in our province for those who abuse animals,” Meilleur said at Queen’s Park on Wednesday.
“That’s why our government is continuing to fight for the protection of animals by working with our stakeholders to further strengthen the legislation to make sure all animals can live free of abuse and neglect.”
She says the plan would step up enforcement and give more authority to the OSPCA, outline new rules to protect marine mammals in captivity, and look into licensing zoos and aquariums.
But animal rights group Marineland Animal Defense (MAD) says changing the laws is not enough.
“When hundreds stormed Marineland this weekend they weren’t chanting – “We Want Reform” – they were chanting “SHUT IT DOWN!” MAD tweeted after the announcement.
In a series of articles published by the Toronto Star, former Marineland staff alleged poor water quality and staffing problems were causing animals at the Niagara Falls, Ont., amusement park to become sick.
Several protests have followed, including the one on Sunday organized by MAD and the Niagara Animal Defense League.
