Enforce existing animal legislation

Re: “This rodeo town is bucking the activists”

(NP Montreal, April 26)

Why must individual citizens always have to fight for the rights of animals or rely on organizations like the SPCA to speak out and take action against those who abuse, neglect, exploit and target animals?

It should be the responsibility of elected officials at all levels of government to adopt legislation to protect animals within their jurisdiction, and those laws should be enforced.

In 2015, the Quebec government officially recognized animals as sentient beings; and yet, in 2016, the city of Montreal approved a rodeo event that will cause horses and bulls significant distress and possible physical injury.

As a society, surely we are more evolved and compassionate than this. Karen Messier, city councillor, Beaconsfield