B.C. SPCA slams animal cruelty legislation changes

The head of the SPCA in B.C. says amendments to provincial animal cruelty legislation will make it more difficult for the agency to rescue animals in distress and bring abusers to justice.

Craig Daniell says giving B.C. animal owners a new way to appeal the SPCA's actions will only add layers of bureaucracy to a system that already works well.

"We are fully in support of fairness and transparency and oversight through an appeal process," said Daniell.

"However we believe the current system is expedient and works extremely well. Our fear is that the new system adds layers of bureaucracy which will mean fewer animals may be rescued from suffering and fewer animal abusers brought to justice."

Agriculture Minister Don McRae brought in the changes to animal cruelty legislation Tuesday to meet concerns raised by the public.

He said the legislation will allow animal owners to appeal an animal seizure to the B.C. Farm Industry Review Board instead of resorting to the courts so the dispute-resolution process is faster and more cost effective.

But Daniell says when animals are seized, the SPCA issues reasons for its decision not to return them within an average of 14 days and any appeals that go to court are ruled on in about 75 days.

He says the review board's history suggests it could take at least six months to hear a case and shelters will be filled with seized animals awaiting rulings.