See an Animal in Distress? The OHS wants to make sure you know who to call.
June 24, 2019 – The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) wants the community to know who to call if they witness an animal in distress.
As of Thursday June 28, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) will no longer enforce legislation regarding animal cruelty or neglect anywhere in Ontario, and will not provide any services in Ottawa. Locally, Ottawa Police Service (OPS) will assume the responsibility.
If community members witness animal abuse or neglect where an animal’s life is in immediate danger, such as a dog trapped in a hot car, they should call 911 for immediate help. Non-immediate concerns, such as on-going neglect of pets or livestock, should be directed to OPS at 613-236-1222 x7300.
The City’s By-law & Regulatory Services branch will provide support to police for animal handling and transport, as necessary. By-law will continue to provide help for stray pets, and sick/injured domestic and small wild animals. Requests for service may be filed by calling 3-1-1.
The OHS will continue to provide shelter and care for abused animals, brought to it by police and by-law.
The OHS has been working with City and OPS staff to prepare the police for taking over the service since shortly after the announcement that OSPCA would be abandoning animal protection. “There is a lot of nuance in how crimes against animals are handled. Local police have been great, but we want to make sure they have all the knowledge and tools they need to take over this essential work,” says OHS President and CEO, Bruce Roney, “We also want to get the word out about where to call, so that animal lives are not put at risk.” To that end, the OHS has created a simple graphic and is sharing it through social media and other channels.
In March 2019 the OSPCA announced it would no longer enforce animal protection in Ontario and set a hard deadline of June 28, 2019, refusing the government’s request to continue to January to allow time to introduce new legislation in the province.
Media Contact
Ottawa Humane Society
Lesley Foster, Manager: Communications
613-725-3166 Ext: 261 or lesleyf@ottawahumane.ca
www.ottawahumane.ca