SPCA sees increase in animal cruelty convictions in 2016

The Nova Scotia SPCA is reporting a major spike in animal cruelty charges and convictions in 2015 and 2016 across the province.

“The SPCA has a 100 per cent conviction rate of charges that go before the court,” said JoAnne Landsburg, Nova Scotia SPCA’s chief investigator. “We are seeing better sentencing for the charges we are laying, including lifetime prohibitions and even a jail sentence under the NS Animal Protection Act.”

Landsburg said they’re also laying criminal code charges for certain cases when evidence permits.

The number of animal cruelty officers in Nova Scotia has increased from three officers in 2011 to 16 in 2017.

Landsburg said increased staffing has had a significant impact on their response time and the ability to do rechecks in a timely fashion.

“With the increase of charges we are seeing, so is the danger to officers,” she said. “In 2016, our cruelty officers are now wearing body armour vests. This is a direct result of the amount of personal threats and assaults that we’ve received over the years.”

Landsburg said the increased protection was costly for the society, but she says it’s one that could not be ignored.

The SPCA has applied through the Department of Environment for better communication equipment for safety purposes, but are still waiting to hear back.

A recent report by the Animal Legal Defense Fund ranked Nova Scotia as having the second strongest animal protection laws in the county. Landsburg said she’s proud of the work done by the animal protection team, but says there’s still more to be accomplished.

“I recently worked with animal rescue groups to compile some suggested regulations for animal rescues in Nova Scotia,” she said. “Together, we brought these ideas to Minister Keith Colwell who was very open to the idea. We’ve also made some small suggestions towards amendments for the new regulations that have been in place since December 2014.”