PETA awards Beaconsfield for progressive animal welfare legislation

Beaconsfield resident and pet owner Maria Sokolov said she's pleased the city has adopted new animal welfare legislation.

Animal rights group PETA is awarding Beaconsfield a Compassionate City Award after it passed new animal welfare legislation.

Beaconsfield city council recently passed a bylaw and zoning change that protects animals from being abused or neglected. The bylaw includes a ban on puppy and kitten mills and also a ban on the sale of pets.

“Previously we had an animal bylaw that was quite outdated,” said city councillor Karen Messier. “It needed to be changed, so we felt that we would really update it and think in a very forward way to protect animal rights.”

PETA calls the legislation progressive.

“With Beaconsfield setting this example, I'm very hopeful and optimistic that other municipalities and cities across North America and hopefully the world will do similar things,” said PETA spokesperson Daniel Carron.

The owner of Beaconsfield’s only pet shop, Boutique Woof Meow, doesn’t sell animals. Instead, Chris Brown said he encourages people to adopt their pets and often donates food and supplies to animal rescue.

“I think it's a great bylaw. The problem with what's going on lately is that there are always loopholes, there are grey areas,” he said. “People get around the puppy mill thing by doing it in their homes. The bottom line is this covers everything and it really protects the animals.”

Beaconsfield residents say they are glad their community is setting a good example.

“It's a great feeling to be in Beaconsfield and to be getting an award like that,” said resident Christine Ohannessian

Maria Sokolov agrees.

“Every municipality should take a look at this and follow,” she said.