The issue of animal cruelty has long been a hot topic in the Maritimes, with animal rights groups calling for tougher laws when it comes to dealing with such cases.
The Nova Scotia SPCA received 18,000 animal cruelty complaints last year, and with this year’s cold winter, it hasn’t slowed down.
‘We’ve received an increase in numbers from the public, calling on animals that are left outside for long periods of time,” says David Ross, chief inspector for the Nova Scotia SPCA.
With only two full-time and two part-time investigators in the province, Ross admits it can be challenging to deal with so many complaints.
“We would need an increase in resources from my standpoint anyway, so that we could respond in a more effective way and more timely way to these calls that are coming in.”
With mounting pressure from animal advocates to toughen cruelty laws, it could become an election issue.
Premier Darrell Dexter says government should be able to deal with it.
“But if not, many things become issues during campaigns,” says Dexter.
“I’m happy to deal with our animal cruelty laws in an election, or not in an election, because it’s the right thing to do,” says Tory Leader Jamie Baillie.
“We would certainly make it an election issue because Nova Scotians are calling for change,” says Leo Glavine, Nova Scotia Liberal Agriculture critic.
Right now, Ross says there is very little regulation when it comes to selling and breeding animals. He says that needs to change.
“Unscrupulous people can see it for more profit,” says Ross. “Then the animal suffers in the end.”
The Liberals say anyone convicted of animal cruelty shouldn’t be allowed to sell or board animals for at least five years.
“There doesn’t seem to be the strongest measures taken so that it doesn’t happen again,” says Glavine. “We know of repeat offenders, in other words.”
The Progressive Conservatives are also weighing in.
“It’s time for a review of animal cruelty laws to make sure they truly do protect the animals of Nova Scotia,” says Baillie. “It’s also time to ensure that we have enough enforcement in place to make sure those laws are respected.”
Dexter says his government is aware of the concerns and plans to respond.
“One is to make sure the SPCA has the appropriate funding to be able to supply the enforcement and protection services that are necessary, and the other part of that, the legislative part, is something we’re considering.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jacqueline Foster
