Canada’s most populous province is preparing to make sweeping changes to improve animal welfare.
The changes include more power and more money for the Ontario Society for the Protection of Animals. (OSPCA).
The move has been more than a year in the making following allegations that the huge entertainment complex Marineland, in Niagara Falls, had lax health and safety standards for its animals.
The owner- John Holer- has always vehemently denied the allegations telling reporters last year, “We take care of the animals better than I would take care of myself.” After demonstrations organized by an ex-employee, an investigation made some suggestions for improvements but no infractions were found in care of treatment of the animals at Marineland.
The provincial government, through the Community Safety Minister, said they realized that there was a lack of regulation in certain areas and that the OPSCA lacked the money to carry out large-scale investigations. New marine mammal standards are currently being drafted to be ready by June 2014.
The province said OPSCA will be given $5.5 million annually to create teams of specially-trained investigators who in addition to inspecting the provinces 60 zoos and aquariums, will continue to deal with “puppy and kitten mills”.
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