Advocate calls for registry of convicted animal abusers

CTV Vancouver: Should we track animal abusers? A prominent B.C. animal advocate is pushing for a registry for convicted animal abusers.

A prominent B.C. animal advocate is pushing for a registry for convicted animal abusers.

Wade Shaw says the provincial database would be similar to a sex offender or child abuse registry, and shared between animal welfare and law enforcement agencies across the country.

“Put simply, if you’ve been convicted of a crime your name is known and hopefully it would be nationally known. It means [an abuser] can’t just go to another province and continue doing what they’re doing,” he told CTV News.

Each year, the BC SPCA investigates close to 8,000 complaints about animal abuse and neglect. The registry would also help the Crown pursue stricter penalties against repeat offenders, Shaw said.

“If you committed another act of violence against a person or animal it would be a second offence, not a first offence or a slap on the wrist,” he said.

Shaw created an annual Animal Abuse Prevention Day to honour the 56 sled dogs killed in Whistler on April 23, 2010.

After a ceremony outside the BC Legislature celebrating the proclamation’s fifth official year, Shaw said it’s time for Canada to get tougher on people who abuse animals.

“Change is needed. The laws in Canada haven’t been significantly changed since the 1800s,” he said.

The idea of a registry is gaining traction south of the border. State lawmakers in Tennessee just approved a similar bill this week in a bid to decrease the animal abuse cases they see, including dog fighting and animal hoarding.

B.C.’s Minster of Agriculture said B.C. already has the toughest animal abuse laws in the country, but that he would speak to staff about the idea. Under current provincial law, convicted abusers can face a $75,000 fine and up to 24 months imprisonment, though the harshest penalty is rarely levied.

Marcie Moriarty, the BC SPCA’s Chief Prevention and Enforcement Officer, said a registry in B.C. could be a useful tool that would allow animal agencies to screen potential animal adopters.

“We could see the benefits of having a list available for people who are checking on potential adopters,” she said.

To mark the Animal Abuse Prevention Day, the SPCA has launched a year-long Million Acts of Kindness campaign, hoping to inspire a million acts of kindness for companion, farm and wild animals.

It’s asking British Columbians to program its toll-free cruelty hotline into their phone and encourage your friends and family to do the same- 1-855-6BC SPCA (1-855-622-7722).

Have your say: Should the names of convicted animal abusers be kept in a registry?