Humane Societies Across Ontario Call on Province to Better Protect Animals

July 5, 2024 — The Ottawa Humane Society and its partners in the Ontario Animal Welfare Network are calling for stronger protections against animal cruelty and neglect.

“The animals rely on a timely and effective investigative system to protect them from cruelty and neglect,” said Sharon Miko, OHS President & CEO. “The OHS and our partners are ready to support the province and collaborate on critical improvements that will protect animals across Ontario.”

Under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS), investigations into animal cruelty and neglect are the responsibility of the Ministry of the Solicitor General. In June, an amendment to the PAWS Act, aimed at tightening restrictions on breeding operations, received royal assent. The OHS and OAWN applaud the effort, but say the government needs to go further to protect animals.

“Legislation to protect dogs from puppy mills and other breeding operations was long overdue in Ontario,” added Miko. “The changes to the PAWS Act are a step in the right direction, but we have to go even further to make a difference for the animals.”

The OHS and OAWN have launched a letter writing campaign to raise the need with the provincial government. The campaign is aimed at Premier Doug Ford, asking to increase the number of animal investigators and improve the transparency of the province’s investigations into animal welfare.

Miko continued, “Legislation is only as strong as how it is enforced. Our current system relies on the community reporting animal cruelty and neglect in order to take action. If the community doesn’t believe in the system or that their concerns will seriously be considered, the system will collapse. And animals will pay the price.”

As the laws have changed under PAWS in cases involving puppy mill ownership, more must be done to ensure that cases of abuse and neglect are investigated fully and those guilty are held accountable. The OHS and OAWN have seen the tragic results of animals falling through the cracks of legislation.

The letter to the Premier can be signed and sent from the OHS’s website.

Media Contact
Ottawa Humane Society
Stephen Smith, Senior Manager: Marketing & Communications
stephens@ottawahumane.ca
www.ottawahumane.ca