Animal Cruelty Legislation

Hello, 

We are pleased to share with you another big success in our work to better protect animals and to have those in the justice system understand the links between animal violence and human violence.  

On May 6th, 2021, Bill C-3 to Amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code, passed into law. This Bill requires that new judges agree to undergo training on sexual assault and systemic racism before they're appointed to the bench.  Why is it good news for animals? We are happy to say that our proposal for Judges to be trained on the Violence Link was accepted!  

Violence Link crimes victimize some of the most vulnerable in our society. Perpetrators use animal abuse to coerce, control, and intimidate women, children and elders to be silent about their abuse, preventing them from leaving, and force them to return. Animals and their abuse are often invisible in these crimes, and this training will ensure judges better understand the Violence Link as they preside over cases. 

Humane Canada submitted a statement and an observation asking the Canadian Senate to include training on the Violence Link in this bill, and we are so pleased that it was accepted.  As we continue to drive forward with our goal to secure stronger animal cruelty legislation, we are working to have animals recognized as victims in the Criminal Code, to ban puppy mills and to ban cosmetic testing on animals. It is a slow process but we have seen significant change recently toward a more Humane Canada. 

Thank you so much for your generous donation and support of Animal Cruelty Legislation, we will continue to keep you informed and updated on this important work. 

Links:

• Government Bill C-3
• Humane Canada's work on the Violence Link
• House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

• BILL C-3: To Amend The Judges Act & Criminal Code (PDF)