Bill 153 1997

An Act to provide more protection for animals by amending the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. Section 12 of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is amended by adding the following subsection: No obstruction

(6) No person shall obstruct an inspector or agent of the Society who is exercising powers under this Act.

2. The Act is amended by adding the following sections: Prohibition order

20. (1) An inspector or an agent of the Society who has removed an animal under subsection 14 (1) or destroyed an animal under subsection 14 (2) may make an application to the Ontario Court (General Division) for an order under subsection (2). Same

(2) If the court is satisfied that the owner or custodian of an animal has, without reasonable excuse, placed the animal in distress or permitted the animal to be placed in distress, the court shall make an order prohibiting the owner or custodian from having the custody of animals for the period of time specified in the order. Offences

21. (1) Every person who contravenes subsection 12 (6) or who knowingly contravenes subsection 13 (5) is guilty of an offence. Same, corporations

(2) Every officer or director of a corporation is guilty of an offence if the person,

(a) knowingly causes, authorizes, permits or participates in the commission by the corporation of an offence mentioned in subsection (1); or

(b) fails to take reasonable care to prevent the corporation from committing an offence mentioned in subsection (1). Penalty, non-corporations

(3) A person who is not a corporation and who is convicted of an offence under this Act is liable to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three months, or to both. Same, corporations

(4) A corporation convicted of an offence under this Act is liable to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000. Commencement

3. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent. Short title

4. The short title of this Act is the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act, 1997.