BANFF, Alta. — Livestock groups in Alberta are trying to plug the holes that exist in animal cruelty laws.
Susan Church of the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association told the recent Banff Pork Seminar that a 100-year-old federal law makes cruelty to animals a criminal offence, but does not specifically address proper animal care.
She said it and other provincial legislation offer guidelines on care, but don’t provide specific details on proper and humane animal handling techniques.
“In all those acts, when it comes to describing a condition, we use a term of ‘generally accepted practice,'” Church said.
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Generally accepted practices become a judgment call.
She said dairy and hog producer groups have already written clear definitions of accepted practices within their industries.
A program on euthanasia will also be included in new terms of reference.
Maple Leaf Foods, the Western Hog Exchange and Fletcher’s Fine Foods have a policy against dragging animals that aren’t able to get up. A hog sled has been developed to load these sick or crippled animals. The companies have also made sure a humane killer is brought to the animal rather than taking it into the packing plant to be euthanized.
As well, AFAC and Alberta Pork Producers have developed a new animal hauling course for hog producers, handlers, truckers, assembly yard workers, auction markets and regulatory personnel.
“We have to make sure they are transported carefully and wisely,” Church said.
