Animal cruelty laws need sharper teeth

In the winter of 2010, British Columbians were outraged by the lax punishment handed to Robert Fawcett, an employee of Howling Dog Tours in Whistler.

As you might recall, there was a cull of 56 sled dogs which led to execution-style killing of the animals, who were dumped in mass graves. Owners thought there would be a lucrative market of international tourists with the Olympics being held in Vancouver, but it never materialized. The animals were no longer of any use to them.

Fawcett was sentenced to three years probation for causing unnecessary pain and suffering, but avoided jail time because the judge believed he had the dogs’ best interests at heart.

In the aftermath, the Province of B.C. declared April 23 Animal Abuse Prevention Day and sled dog companies must now be inspected annually, but only if they’re operating on Crown land. The dogs were later buried at the BC-SPCA pet cemetery in Penticton and given a proper funeral.

Canadians everywhere — and not just animal advocates — demanded stiffer punishments for those who mistreat animals.

So what’s happened since? Let’s just look at five or six weeks.

In Victoria, a woman who ran what was described as a “puppy mill,” was charged with neglecting 60 dogs and cats. The BCSPCA described it as “the worst case of animal neglect and abuse ever.”

The punishment: a two-year suspended sentence.

In Spruce Grove, Alta., a man who drove his pickup at speeds of more than 110 km/h along the Yellowhead Highway with two dogs on top of the truck-bed cover, won’t face charges. The dogs were unharmed, according to the SPCA, and the man was spoken to and has learned his lesson, promising to never do it again.

Right here in the Okanagan, a 57-year-old Penticton woman pleaded guilty to causing an animal to continue to be in distress. Three small dogs were discovered huddled together in a wire kennel with feces covering the floor, an empty bowl and a sagging tarp providing no shelter.

Instead of the maximum penalty of a $75,000 fine and two years in jail, the local pharmacist was fined $1,000 and may not own a dog for five years. She may still operate her business. When asked in court if she wanted to say anything, she declined. No apology, no explanation, just silence.

Sentences for animal cruelty are far too lenient. Furthermore, animal cruelty complaints are seldom investigated and, when they are, it doesn’t result in charges of any significance.

This is hardly a deterrent for cruel, listless or incompetent pet owners.

What has happened since the Whistler sled dog cull in 2010? Absolutely nothing.