New animal welfare regulations are now in effect in the province of Nova Scotia to better protect companion animals. Agriculture minister Keith Colwell says that the new rules prohibit tethering for more than 12 consecutive hours and require a veterinarian’s certificate of health for the sale of cats and dogs, a measure largely aimed at curbing the activities of so-called puppy mills. Colwell said enforcement officials are now also able to write summary offence tickets for violations of the regulations and the Animal Protection Act, with fines ranging from about $200 to $700.
This legislation is certainly a welcome step in the right direction, although I don’t think it’s enough; an opinion that is shared by more that 50% of the people who responded to the poll attached to this news article. Tethering an animal for twelve hours is still too much, and I think that we need stiffer fines and prison sentences for certain abuses. Progress, however, is a good thing, and I hope that we can continue to put pressure on the government to enforce even stricter legislation in the near future.
