PET ABUSERS SHOULD FACE STIFF PENALTIES AND OWNERSHIP BANS - RUNCIMAN
(Toronto) – Ontarians who abuse their pet cat or dog could face much tougher penalties and a ban on pet ownership if legislation tabled today becomes law.
Progressive Conservative MPP Bob Runciman (Leeds-Grenville) today introduced a Private Member’s bill that will allow the courts to impose jail terms up to 2 years less a day, fines up to $60,000 and up to a lifetime ban on pet ownership.
Runciman’s legislation comes in the wake of a series of publicized incidents of pet abuse including the removal of a dog’s ears in order to make the animal look “scarier”.
“People who do serious physical harm to a pet should lose their right to have pets and should face penalties that are proportionate to the extent of the injuries the pet suffered,” asserted Runciman.
Runciman is hopeful that the Liberal government will consider speedy passage of his bill prior to the legislature adjourning for the summer.
