If passed, proposed new legislation would amend the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act to better protect animals in Ontario. These would be the first comprehensive changes to the act since it was introduced in 1919.
Proposed changes include:
New Inspection Powers
- Giving the OSPCA the authority to inspect premises, other than homes,where animals are kept for the purposes of exhibit, entertainment, boarding, sale or hire.
- Clarifying the OSPCA's ability to enter premises, other than homes, without a warrant, when they have reasonable grounds to believe an animal is in immediate distress.
- Allowing the OSPCA to seize dead animal remains or take samples for an investigation.
- Establishing the authority to remove and keep an animal where charges have been laid and where there are reasonable grounds to believe the animal may be harmed if returned to its owner.
New Provincial Offences
Creating new provincial offences within the OSPCA Act for
- Causing or permitting distress to an animal
- Training or permitting animals to fight other animals, or owning or possessing equipment or structures used in animal fighting
- Failing to comply with standards of care for all animals
- Causing harm to a law enforcement animal
- Obstructing an OSPCA inspector or agent
- Failing to comply with an Animal Care Review Board decision.
- Creating appropriate penalties for the new offences including fines of up to $60,000 and a potential lifetime ownership ban.
Protect Existing Practices
- Creating appropriate exemptions for wildlife, agriculture and veterinary practices
- Respecting areas already regulated by other legislation, such as animals for research and municipal regulation of animal control.
Mandatory Reporting
- Requiring reporting of suspected animal abuse by veterinarians and protect them from liability for doing so.
Clarify Existing Leglislation
Amending existing legislation including:
- Defining an owner or custodian to include that an adult is responsible where a minor "owns" an animal and clarify personal responsibility where an organization or commercial entity owns an animal
- Clarifying that an OSPCA order remains in force while it is being appealed to the Animal Care Review Board
- Enabling the Animal Care Review Board to award costs of interim animal care, or the costs of complying with an order, to either party involved in an appeal.
Maintain Municipal Authority
- In the event of a conflict between the OSPCA Act and a municipal by-law, whichever provision affords the greatest protection to animals would take precedence.