Advocacy Issues

Current and Recent Issues

Editorial Regarding the Cruelty to Animals Inflicted During Rodeos

The Nova Scotia SPCA, in support of its position statement against rodeos, published in The Chronicle Herald on October 7, 2009, an op-ed piece explaining the cruel practices that occur during rodeos, and discouraging people from attending rodeo events in Nova Scotia. To view the editorial, click here.

Opposition to Cirque Estival Appearances in Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia SPCA has been speaking out on behalf of the animals forced to perform as part of traveling Cirque Estival, which is appearing in seven locations in Nova Scotia in June 2009. A letter to the circus' management was followed by discussions and a formal letter to the NS Department of Natural Resources regarding the permit that was issued to the circus, in apparent violation of the Nova Scotia circus standards governing the care of elephants. When the circus was permitted to continue, the NS SPCA issued a press release, detailing the Society's concerns. Following SPCA inspection of the circus on its first stop in New Glasgow, eleven more violations of the circus standards were observed, and detailed in a second press release.

Position Statement Against Rodeos

On May 25, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Nova Scotia SPCA approved the following position statement in opposition of rodeos:

Position
The Nova Scotia SPCA is opposed to rodeo events and practices that involve a risk of harm or distress to animals.

Rationale
Rodeo events and practices typically cause distress to animals and put them at risk of harm on a routine basis. This occurs during the events themselves as well as during training, transportation and handling.

Events and practices that cause distress and cruelty to animals include, but are not limited to: bull riding, bronco riding, sheep riding, steer roping, calf roping, “wild horse racing,” chuck wagon racing, steer tailing, and horse tripping; the use of devices such as electric prods, sharpened sticks, spurs, flank straps and other rodeo equipment that artificially cause animals to react violently; transportation in cramped trains or trucks and infrequent access to food and water.

The purpose of a rodeo is entertainment. No amount of distress to an animal is acceptable for this purpose. Furthermore, rodeos are typically promoted as family events. People should be aware that rodeos may demonstrate to children that harming animals for entertainment is fun.

There is no tradition or cultural significance to rodeos in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia SPCA thus opposes the presence and proliferation of all rodeos and rodeo events in our province.

Halifax Regional Municipality By-law A-300

On February 7th, 2009, The Nova Scotia SPCA hosted an historic meeting. For the first time, all of the major animal advocacy groups in the region met to discuss proposed amendments to HRM’s animal control legislation.

In the wake of The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia’s decision in Rogier v. Halifax, 2009 NSSC 14, Bylaw A-300 will require amendment. The proposals outlined at the meeting, and presented to HRM councilors in February 2009, would lead to several improvements, including:

• The specific flaws in the legislation identified by Justice Beveridge will be corrected.
• The overall process will be more fair for animals, their owners, and the community. This will mean fewer headaches for City Council, and more money in the city’s coffers.
• The laws of HRM will no longer be lagging behind those of the rest of the country.
• Dog owners will have greater incentive to be responsible, thus leading to fewer incidents in the community.

To learn more about the proposal submitted to HRM councilors by the SPCA, contact the Advocacy Committee at advocacy@spcans.ca.

New Animal Cruelty Legislation for Nova Scotia

On November 25, 2008, new animal cruelty legislation for Nova Scotia was passed in the Legislature. The Animal Protection Act was first introduced in May 2008 on the heels of a high-profile animal cruelty case involving the former Celtic Pets rescue organization in Cape Breton. The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and the Nova Scotia SPCA collaborated on the initial version of the new legislation, which increases the ability of SPCA cruelty investigators to gain access to animals they believe to be in distress or abused, and requires veterinarians to report suspected cases of animal cruelty.

After the bill was presented for second reading in the legislature in early November, the Nova Scotia SPCA made a further appeal to strengthen the new law by appearing before the Law Amendments Committee. The Society sought:

• Tougher penalties for people convicted of animal abuse, including mandatory prohibitions on owning animals;
• A ban against animal fighting, including attending or funding fights, possessing animals for fighting purposes, and profiting from animal fighting;
• A ban against cosmetic alteration such a tail docking, ear cropping and declawing;
• The regulation and licensing of all animal facilities including breeders, brokers, day cares, kennels, zoos and humane societies and rescues;
• Requirements for the safe and humane transport of animals in vehicles; and
• Removal of an exemption from intervention by the SPCA for facilities using animals for research purposes under Canadian Council on Animal Care regulation.

Other groups and organizations voiced opposition to some of the Society’s requests during Law Amendments. A group from Dalhousie University objected to the request that included all research facilities in the new Act, and breeders associated with the Canadian Kennel Club objected to the request to ban ear cropping and tail docking. These procedures are banned in the United Kingdom and several other countries. Since 1996, the Nova Scotia SPCA has been opposed to ear cropping and tail docking of companion animals and to the declawing of cats unless it is the only alternative to euthanasia.

Final reading of the bill incorporated increased penalties. The fine for a first offense increased from “up to $5,000” to “a maximum of $10,000,” the fine for a second offense increased from “up to $5,000” to “up to $25,000,” and for a third or subsequent offense the fine increased from “up to $10,000” to “up to $50,000.” In addition, a first offense involving harm to a law enforcement animal could result in a fine of “up to $25,000.”

While the SPCA is pleased that the penalties were increased, the Society recognizes that actual sentences imposed are often much lower than the maximum allowed. The SPCA hopes the courts will begin to acknowledge the seriousness of animal cruelty by ordering tougher penalties for those convicted. The Society also looks forward to working with the Department of Agriculture in the coming months to develop regulations. Bill 186: An Act to Protect Animals will not become law in Nova Scotia until the necessary regulations are in place to enable enforcement of the new legislation.

Puppy Mills in Nova Scotia

Many Nova Scotia residents remain uninformed about puppy mills and puppy brokers, and do not recognize that by acquiring puppies through such means, they are supporting the continued operations of these businesses. It is easy to be swayed by cute puppies peering out from behind the back of a truck or from behind the window in a pet store, but the disturbing truth behind these cute faces should not be ignored.

Puppy mills exploit dogs to make money by caging female dogs and breeding them constantly. They are continuously either pregnant or nursing puppies. They often do not receive vet care, human companionship or affection, and are kept in unsanitary conditions without protection from heat or cold. Since the mother receives no care, the puppies can be sick, sometimes dying within hours or days of being purchased.

Puppy brokers are “middle men” (or women) who purchase puppies from puppy mills and re-sell the puppies for a profit. Puppy brokers often set up shop in parking lots, selling puppies out of the back of a truck or van. With the increasing popularity of online classifieds, the market for puppy brokers has expanded considerably. Ads for purebred puppies abound on sites such as Kijiji, where it is easy to deceive potential buyers. Often, a simple Google search of the seller’s name will reveal their history and reputation, but many people trust what they read in advertisements and do not conduct their own research.

Sadly, federal and provincial laws do little to prevent these businesses from operating unless proof can be found of cruelty or neglect, the perpetrators found guilty in court, and bans or prohibitions ordered and enforced. The power to end the cycle of misery lies with an informed public: if people stop buying puppies from pet stores and puppy brokers, they will be forced out of business.

Pet stores that sell puppies and kittens inevitably acquire those animals from puppy and kitten mills, helping to keep the mills in business. Reputable dog breeders do not sell their puppies to pet stores and responsible pet stores do not sell puppies or kittens for profit, but rather partner with humane societies to serve as satellite adoption centres. The Petcetera store in Dartmouth Crossing is an excellent example of such a partnership, with their cat adoption program that enables the SPCA to find more homes for our adult cats.

The Nova Scotia SPCA encourages adoption as a humane alternative to purchasing pets. SPCAs are often overflowing with young and adult animals that deserve loving new homes. Often, adoption fees include vaccinations, microchipping, and the pet’s spay or neuter operation, making adoption not only a humane option, but an affordable one as well. For those interested in a specific breed of dog or cat, there are many breed-specific rescues that can help match adopters to lifetime companions. The Nova Scotia SPCA also supports acquiring pets from reputable breeders who take responsibility for their animals for their entire lives, educate and screen potential new owners, and provide follow-up support after purchase or adoption.

To learn more about puppy mills, visit: http://stoppuppymills.org/ or www.nopuppymillscanada.ca.