September 18, 2008

NEW LEGISLATION WOULD STRENGTHEN ANIMAL PROTECTION IN MANITOBA: WOWCHUK

Higher fines for the mistreatment of animals, stronger licensing requirements for pet breeders and expanding inspection and enforcement provisions are part of a package of proposed changes to Manitoba’s Animal Care Act introduced in the legislature today, said Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk.

“Manitoba’s existing Animal Care Act is one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation of its kind and today’s amendments would enhance our legislative authority to strengthen animal protection,” Wowchuk said.

Proposed amendments to the act include:
· developing a public registry of licensed pet breeders that would allow the public to easily locate reputable breeders prior to purchasing a family pet;
· requiring pet stores to be licensed including provisions that would require stores to keep records of the breeders from whom they purchase their pets;
· requiring veterinarians to report suspected cases of animal neglect or abuse;
· giving the chief veterinary officer authority to issue orders that would require owners to take action to relieve an animal in distress or to carry out their duties under the act toward their animals;
· providing expanded powers to enter and inspect premises;
· providing animal protection officials with specific authority to take abandoned animals into custody including animals left behind in rental properties, animals not retrieved from kennels and other temporary caregivers, and animals that are apparently ownerless;
· increasing the maximum penalties for offences to $10,000 from $5,000 for a first offence and to $20,000 from $10,000 for a second or subsequent offence, and the maximum term of imprisonment to 12 months from six months for a second offence;
· increasing the limitation period for prosecution of offences under the act to two years from
six months; and
· implementing restrictions, as part of new licensing requirements, on the number of animals a breeder may have, based on individual breeding facilities.



The minister noted Manitoba’s proposed comprehensive animal care bill is in step with recent changes other provinces have made to strengthen their animal protection legislation and the product of the experiences of Manitoba’s animal protection officers in carrying out their duties.

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