RUNCIMAN AGAIN CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO TARGET PET ABUSERS
(Toronto) – Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman today re-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.
The Private Members’ Bill was first introduced by Runciman earlier this year. The legislation followed a series of publicized incidents of pet abuse including the removal of a dog’s ears in order to make the animal look “scarier.”
That Bill died in early June when Premier Dalton McGuinty abruptly ended the legislative session three weeks before its scheduled closing.
“I promised to continue to press to have pet protection legislation passed early in our first session of the legislature.” vowed the veteran MPP.
“The government needs to target abusers who seriously harm a pet,” stated Runciman. “The owner’s penalties need to be based on the injuries the pet suffered.”
