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JIM GUY: When it comes to animal cruelty, we're all guilty

Jim Guy – Political Insights
Jim Guy – Political Insights - SaltWire Network

Public is blind to what is actually happening

I didn't like writing this column. As someone who has had animals all of my life, I found the images of animal abuse quite terrible and repulsive. It’s bad enough that we live in a society that rationalizes the abuse of humans by humans in our correction centres, our nursing homes and the military. After witnessing how cruel we can be towards each other, the abuse of animals falls far down the list of our concerns.

Nova Scotia is reputed to be one of the worst places in Canada to abuse animals. We come in second to Manitoba as a province where fines and jail time can be pretty hefty. Both Manitoba and Nova Scotia have increased penalties against animal cruelty. They appear to be open to review their legislation and pursue abusers. But the legal and judicial instruments available to combat animal cruelty are still not the deterrents necessary to bring abuses under control.

Every year we see shocking cases of animal abuse across the mainland and on Cape Breton Island. So let’s not be too encouraged by our provincial ranking in a world that cherry picks which animals are actually being abused.

In the public mind, the range of animals mistreated is limited to dogs and cats. Under the law they are the best protected. But by far the incidences of animal abuse go way beyond our household pets. It is known also to be a widespread occurrence on our farms, the food industry and in circuses. And regarding these businesses we stand idly by.

There are also the abusive practices associated with poaching, hunting, research testing and tourism. The animals we slaughter for food are often badly neglected and mistreated even before they are killed. Much is overlooked because the food industry is so widely supported by the public. Animal husbandry is believed to be sufficiently regulated to prevent extreme cases of abuse.

But it isn't! Many of the animals that bring benefit to us experience indescribable harm and trauma. Animal cruelty is the price they pay to provide us with food and entertainment. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has uncovered serious abuse activities in the transportation and preparation of animals to be slaughtered.

The CFIA recommends amending the Criminal Code to include chickens and fish, which make up the majority of animals killed for food in Canada. The CFIA wants to include those animals currently exempt from anti-cruelty and "duty of care" provisions in the Criminal Code.

The Animal Legal Defence Fund (ALDF) studied the protection of animals in Canadian provinces and territories. From their work we know that Nova Scotia has substantial fines and prison terms for those who abuse. Fines are higher here than in most other parts of Canada. But the public is blind to what is actually happening.

We rely on the eyes and ears of the community to report the abuse of animals. If people witness abuse they are likely to tell someone. Veterinarians may observe abuse and are obligated to report it to authorities who have the power to levy fines and incarcerate offenders. But casual neglect is much more difficult to witness and to report. Unintentional cruelty is more frequent then we think.

We need to inform ourselves about how animals are treated in the industries that use animals to service our needs. Looking at the information provided by such organizations as In Defence of Animals, Animal Liberation and World Animal Protection can educate us about what we don't see everyday. Based on that we should inform our MLAs and MPs that they need to be vigilant about the affect of the legislation in place. How can we and they be more effective protecting animals from abuse?

Mahatma Gandi once said that the "greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." Are we as great as we think we are?

Professor Jim Guy PH.D, author and professor emeritus of political science, can be reached for comment at

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