via N.B. for tougher Animal Cruelty legislation - PFSAP In an April 9th article in the Times & Transcript, the rescue of a small dog in Kent County had animal lovers up in arms over inadequate animal protection laws in the province. In this article, Dr. Francis Arsenault, medical director of the vet hospital, confirmed the dog appeared to be tethered on a regular basis. “I don’t think the care needed was given,” he said. The dog is underweight, has dental problems, has been vomiting and drinking more water than normal. He also has a knee that dislocates easily, the veterinarian said. A Good Samaritan, who had been watching this dog that was chained 24/7 through extreme weather conditions, found himself digging out this small dog after a storm blanketed southeast New Brunswick with more than 40 cm of snow. This gentleman saved this dog’s life. Literally buried alive inside its doghouse, this news story had flooded the papers and social media. The public was outraged and the demand for changes to legislation continued for advocacy groups. The NBSPCA Act and Regulations states that an animal is required to have food, water, and shelter. Food and water was provided after the dog was saved from its possible death, and therefore, when NBSPCA Enforcement Officers arrived – the dog was said to have apparently everything it required by law. Should this kindhearted man have waited for an Officer of the NBSPCA to arrive to dig the dog out, or did this man do the right thing and save the dog himself? It is sad to think that in 2014, we have to ask this question. What human being would stand back and allow an animal to die, just so that evidence may be intact to lay charges against an irresponsible owner. We ask - wasn’t there evidence of neglect still remaining? On December 1, 2014 - dog tethering is not permitted for more than 30 minutes between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless the owner or person responsible is outside and within 25 meters of the dog. The associated fine for not complying with this restriction will be a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $200,000. Would this have changed Sparky’s life? Perhaps yes, but let’s not forget that he may have been still “surviving” on that same short, heavy chain attached to that decrepit doghouse – isolated for the remaining 17 hours in extreme weather conditions, without human interaction. Is this how dogs deserve to live? PFSAP is requesting of Government that more improvement is needed…
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 19:22:22 +0000
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