Support the Bill

Support Brigadier's Law - Introduced as Bill C-361

We are very pleased to announce that M.P., Dan McTeague introduced Brigadier's Law, on October 24th, 2006 as Bill C-361 for first reading in Parliament. A very big thank you Dan! We applaud your efforts to help bring about change for the protection of law enforcement animals under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Support Bill C-373 (Formerly known as Bill C-50)

Another step in the right direction,...M.P., Mark Holland introduced Bill C-373 for first reading on October 30th, 2006. This Bill would amend the Criminal Code of Canada to reform animal cruelty laws. We support Mark in his campaign!

When Does a Parliamentary Bill Accomplish Nothing?

When it is called Bill S-213

It is with great disappointment, that we must report that the present government has decided against re-introducing bill C-50 (affectionately called “Brigadier’s Law”) into Parliament. This bill died last year after the election was called. The government will instead support a senator's bill, known as S-213. This bill should not be confused as being the bill we have all been working towards.

This Senate bill, introduced in April, would raise the maximum jail term to five years for indictable offences, higher than the current two-year maximum and would raise the maximum fine from the current $2,000 to $10,000. It would also allow judges to impose a lifetime ban on animal ownership for anyone convicted of animal cruelty. Why then do we say that this bill is without merit - because, it is an empty shell of a bill. The reasons are numerous with the main one being that crimes against animals are still considered property offences. Technically and effectively what we want (animals treated as living sentient beings) is in our version of the bill known as “Brigadier’s Law”.

Our interim proposal is that, while the federal government does nothing, local municipalities should enact municipal bylaws protecting animals. For more information about municipal bylaws visit: http://www.cfhs.ca/legislation/Municipal_bylaws/.

Let’s be clear, we at Brigadier’s Law, do NOT support bill S-213. Below is a clear visual representation of what OUR bill will do versus keeping the existing one or adopting the recently proposed bill S-213 :

http://www.cfhs.ca/files/amendments_at_a_glance.pdf.

More support for Bill C-50:

REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK POLICE SERVICES BOARD
RESOLUTION ON INJURING OR KILLING LAW ENFORCEMENT ANIMALS
Approved by the Regional Municipality off York Police Services Board on June 29,2006
The Regional Municipality of York' Police Services Board's Resolution was approved by the Canadian Association of Police Boards at its Annual General Meeting in Edmonton, Alberta on August 18, 2006.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS law enforcement animals provide critical functions daily in support of Search sand Rescue missions, Community-Oriented Policing, Emergency Response, Public Safety, as well as their role in promoting positive relations between the police and the community;
WHEREAS law enforcement animals, by virtue of their training and duties, are thrust into dangerous situations with no more legal protection than domestic animals;
WHEREAS, the relationship between police officers and their animal-partners is unique, personal and intense;
WHEREAS law enforcement animals continue to be severely injured or killed in the line of duty;
WHERES there is no offence in the Criminal Code of Canada for willfully injuring or killing a law enforcement animal;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Canadian Association of Police Boards urge the Minister of Justice to amend the Criminal Code of Canada with respect to cruelty to animals to include a separate offence for persons who poison, injure or kill a law enforcement animal while it is aiding a peace officer engaged in the execution of his or her duties or a person assisting a peace officer.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Canadian Association of Police Boards express its support for the offence provisions outlined in Section 182.7 of Bill C-50.

THIS IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICES BOARD HELD ON JUNE 15, 2006

#P176.  ReCOMMENDATION TO AMEND the Criminal Code - Intentional Harm to Law Enforcement Animals

Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby, City of Toronto , was in attendance and delivered a deputation to the Board. Councillor Lindsay Luby advised the Board that, at its meeting on March 29 and 30, 2006, Toronto City Council agreed to forward a recommendation to the Government of Canada to amend the Criminal Code by creating a new law governing intentional harm directed towards law enforcement animals. A copy of the Motion approved by Toronto City Council is appended to these Minutes for information.

Councillor Lindsay Luby requested that the Board endorse the recommendation approved by Toronto City Council about the need for a new law that would provide better protection for law enforcement animals.

The Board received Councillor Lindsay Luby’s deputation and endorsed the recommendation of Toronto City Council.