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Humane Society Calls for More Stringent Animal Protection Laws

May 9, 2016 | 10:42 AM

CANADA – The International Humane Society of Canada is pushing for a Modernizing Animal Protections Act.

Animal welfare laws in Canada have remained largely unchanged since 1892, with only a few amendments that have increased penalties for offenders. However, the Humane Society says it’s difficult to prosecute even the worst offenders with the way laws are currently laid out.

Bill C-246, which will be debated in parliament on Monday, would add “common sense improvements” to the animal cruelty section of the Canadian Criminal Code.

One area being looked at includes the practice of shark finning, which removes the fins and lets the animals die a slow and painful death at sea. Canada imported over 140,000-kg of fins alone over 2015.

Seventeen municipalities, most of which are in British Columbia, have already banned the sale of shark fin products. Updates from Bill C-246 could include prohibiting the removal and importing of the fins across Canada.

Fur products could also come under more regulation, as Canada has no set rules banning the trade of dog and cat fur.

Labeling requirements in most places state that animal fur garments must be labeled with the country of origin and the species of animal, but there are no such requirements yet in Canada. This makes it entirely possible for cat and dog fur to be sold without retailers or consumers knowing.

Ewa Demianowicz, campaign manager for HSI/Canada, says this bill would be a big step forward in bringing protection standards in line with other developed nations.