RSS
LAW Releases Health of Animals Act Private Prosecution Guide
Friday, August 20, 2010
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), an organization that campaigns on behalf of animals, has released a guide to assist groups and individuals seeking to commence private prosecutions for instances of animal abuse contrary to the Federal Health of Animals Act and its Regulations.
The guide can be downloaded at THIS LINK.
“By publishing this guide, we at Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) are taking action to empower citizens to hold government accountable when it fails to enforce animal welfare laws," said Sophie Gaillard, author of the report.
Canadian law permits individual citizens to privately prosecute criminal and statutory violations of law when the government fails to do so on its own. Private prosecutions have previously been used successfully to enforce environmental laws when the government failed to act.
The release of the report follows a series of high profile events exposing the failure of government to enforce existing animal welfare laws and animal abuse in Canadian factory farms.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) released a scathing report entitled 'Curb the Cruelty' exposing systemic violations of animal welfare laws in Canada and government inaction.
In July 2010 Global Television also aired a shocking expose on the inhumane treatment of animals in Canadian factory farms.
The reports have been characterized as a response to increasing public concern over animal abuses in the food system.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductible donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com
Students no Longer Required to Kill Dogs says Vet Dean
July 30, 2010
The University of Guelph Veterinary College has announced its intention to end its policy requiring students to kill healthy dogs as part of their studies.
The change comes after Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) assisted a veterinary student assert her Ontario Human Rights Code right to be accommodated on the basis of creed when she refused to kill a dog after performing a routine spaying procedure.
The University had told the student that if she did not kill the dog after the procedure she would not be permitted to graduate - a requirement for becoming a licensed veterinarian in Ontario.
The student's brave stand inspired LAW's Student Conscientious Objector campaign to educate students about their right to refuse to harm animals during the course of their studies without threat of sanction.
During an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Dean of the University of the Guelph Veterinary College, said "What we are committed to now is to have enough supervisors present so that these trainees will be able to do the spay successfully and the animal will be healthy when it's recovered."
The CBC news story can be watched online at this link: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/ID=1555198432
Canadian Animal Transport Cruelty Exposed
July 29, 2010
Canadian broadcaster Global Television has aired a shocking expose on the treatment of farm animals in Canada.
'Revealed: No Country for Animals' examines Canada’s deplorable record on animal welfare and looks at the people who are fighting to bring about much-needed change.
The documentary can be viewed online at: http://www.globalnews.ca/story.html?id=3336734
The documentary comes on the heels of the WSPA report on animal transport in Canada entitled 'Curb the Cruelty'. The report and its website can be seen here: http://action.wspa.ca/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=23&ea.campaign.id=7298
US Animal Researchers Face Criminal Charges
A Dane County judge, siding with a petition brought by the Madison-based Alliance for Animals and national group PETA (see "PETA, Alliance for Animals seek criminal charges against the UW-Madison," 3/16/10), has determined that UW-Madison officials may be subject to criminal penalties for fatal decompression experiments involving sheep and has authorized the appointment of a special prosecutor to review the matter further.
"This decision determines that probable cause exists to conclude that certain named individuals...violated [a state statute that prohibits the killing of an animal through decompression], either directly or as party to a crime," wrote Circuit Court Judge Amy Smith in a decision issued Wednesday. "This decision permits, but does not compel, complaints to issue against the nine named individuals listed for the reasons cited above."
Smith found probable cause to believe that five authors of research papers, two lab employees, a veterinarian and the head of the campus' Research Animal Resource Center either intentionally or negligently violated the law. And she made clear that, while she lacked information to determine whether charges should in fact be brought, she intended her decision to send a message to the UW-Madison.
Read more...
OSPCA Announces Plans to Transfer & Treat Afflicted Animals
OSPCA York Region Shelter Special Advisory
May 14, 2010
Licensed veterinarians are examining the animals on a case by case basis; based on their recommendations, we will be transferring animals to either be treated for the disease, or receive further testing if they are asymptomatic. We are working with accredited agencies, veterinarians, and shelters that have suitable facilities to house the animals while the testing, treatment and medical examinations continue. 91 cats and 23 dogs will be transferred to these facilities. The most important thing for the OSPCA when caring for animals is to follow the advice of our veterinarians. Our vet staff is dedicated to caring for and treating sick animals in the most compassionate way possible. We trust them to make the best medical decisions for their patients.
Read more...
LAW Concerned by Reports of Continued OSPCA Euthanasia
May 14, 2010
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), an organization that campaigns on behalf of animals, is concerned by leaked reports claiming that the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) is continuing to euthanize animals at its York Region Branch.
“Concerned members of the public have contacted Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) stating that information has been leaked suggesting that at least two more dogs have been euthanized since the OSPCA York Region Branch announced that it would halt its mass euthanasia program. LAW takes these reports seriously and is currently assessing the situation and considering all available options to enforce the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and save the lives of the remaining animals,” said Evelyne Kostanska, President of LAW.
Previously the OSPCA York Region Branch announced that it was going to euthanize up to 350 animals in order to control an outbreak of ringworm – a treatable fungal skin infection that can be difficult to control in shelter environments.
The OSPCA announced that it would not continue with its plans for the mass euthanasia after mass protests and public outcry including a cease and desist letter sent by LAW signed by lawyers and veterinarians.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com
OSPCA Mass Euthanasia Stopped!
May 13, 2010
Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees confirmed this morning that the OSPCA's euthanasia plans at the Newmarket shelter has been stopped in its tracks.
The announcement was made this morning by Rob Godfrey, Chair of the Ontario SPCA following a discussion with Klees last night. Godfrey confirmed that all animals will be tested and treated individually.
To date, 99 animals have been euthanized under the original plan. That has now been stopped. 96 animals have now been placed into foster care and will be tested and treated there.
Of the 140 animals left, there are 99 cats 33 dogs and 8 turtles. 15 dogs have now been isolated for treatment at the shelter in separate facilities and will be monitored over the next few weeks. The remaining 23 dogs and 91 cats will be placed in temporary private shelters where they will be treated until they are recovered.
"This is the right thing to do,” said Klees. "It's just unfortunate that it's two days late. Now we have to ensure that we get to the bottom of how we got here and ensure this never happens again.”
Frank Klees, MPP
Newmarket-Aurora
LAW Calls for Immediate Stop to OSPCA Mass Euthanasia
May 12, 2010
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW), an organization that campaigns on behalf of animals, has called upon the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) to immediately stop its mass euthanasia program at its York Region Branch.
"It is the opinion of Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) that the mass euthanasia is contrary to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Act. The OSPCA appears to be failing to fulfill its duty to treat animals in the most humane manner,” said Nick Wright, a founding director of LAW.
The OSPCA has claimed that as many as 350 animals must be killed due to ringworm infection. Veterinarians claim that ringworm is a treatable condition that does not require euthanasia. It has been reported that numerous individuals have offered to adopt afflicted animals and have the condition treated but the OSPCA has rejected such offers.
Read the full letter sent by LAW to the OSPCA here: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/app/webroot/files/LAW_Letter_to_OSPCA_100512.pdf
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.
For more information contact LAW at: info AT lawyersforanimalwelfare.com
LAW on YouTube and Facebook
April 25, 2010
LAW to Participate in UofT Anti-Vivisection Week
April 20, 2010
On Wednesday Aprll 21, 2010 the University of Toronto student group Students Against Climate Change will be hosting a series of lectures and a discussion on animal practices in science. The event is part of World Week for Animals in Laboratories and is one in a series of screenings and events in and around the University of Toronto campus.
The event will be taking place from 7-9PM at Hart House Music Room, 2nd floor, 7 Hart House Circle, University of Toronto and is free and open to the public.
Nick Wright, a lawyer and a founding director of Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) will be speaking on the legal status of animals, how animal laws apply to science and the legal rights of students who decide not to use animals in the course of their studies.
Dr. David Sztybel, who received his doctorate from the University of Toronto in the area of animal rights ethics, is the author of several publications on the topic. He will give a presentation on the ethical arguments against the use of animals in science.
Tracy Tiefenbach, doctoral candidate in biochemistry and biomedical science at McMaster University, will give a presentation on the scientific arguments against the use of animals in science, as well as providing an overview of humane alternatives currently available.
A discussion will follow. For more information see the event facebook page.
Video from the event is now available on YouTube at THIS LINK.
Lawyers for Animal Welfare (LAW) is made up of legal practitioners and volunteers across Canada. It is an incorporated Registered Charity (#80399 7212 RR0001) dedicated to advancing public knowledge of animal practices and preventing the abuse and killing of animals through the enforcement of existing laws.
Tax deductable donations can be made on the website using credit card or PayPal at: http://www.lawyersforanimalwelfare.com/donate or by contacting the organization to make alternative arrangements.