The Canadian Criminal Code
… defines animal cruelty as
the willful causing or permission of causing “unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal or bird
(sec. 445.1 (1a))
In Canada, there are currently no specific regulations regarding animal hoarding; cases are treated as animal cruelty with failure to provide suitable care
Offences of animal cruelty under the CCC include:
- encouraging the fighting of animals or birds
- giving a domestic animal or bird poison or injurious drug/substance or permits for such to be administered to it
- killing, maiming and injuring
Under the CCC, these offences are punishable and result in
- Indictable offence and liable imprisonment for up to 5 years
- An offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine no more than $10,000
- Imprisonment for a term of up to 18 months
- Or both (2) and (3)
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
The PCA Act clearly illustrates what is expected of animal owners
A person responsible for an animal must care for the animal [and protect the animal] from circumstances that are likely to cause the animal to be in distress … must not cause or permit the animal to be, or to continue to be, in distress
(sec. 9.1 (1-2))
The PCA Act also lays out the rights of an authorized agent to enter a household with or without a warrant if there is a belief that animal(s) within the household is/are in “critical distress” and require immediate veterinary attention
If an offence under the PCA Act is committed, the following consequences are possible:
- Prohibition of owning or having custody over an animal for a period of time
- A penalty fine of a maximum of $75,000
- Imprisonment of up to 2 years
- Or both (2) and (3)
