HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES CANADA

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HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES CANADA

May 23, 2011 by Zephr

EFFECTIVE MAY 15 2011 THE NEW NORTHWEST TERRITORIES DOG ACT CAME INTO EFFECT

Confirmation by way of an email received on May 18, 2011 from MACA Minister Robert McLeod’s office states: “The amendments to the Dog Act are in force effective May 15, 2011.”

While this new Dog Act pertains only to dogs in the NWT it is a Victory, it is historical. The NWT has never had an Act protecting the dogs up here. The original Act protected HUMANS from Dogs.

This is the FIRST step towards the Comprehensive Animal Protection Act needed and work towards achieving that goal will continue. Until a comprehensive Act is in place the NWT will continue to remain in the Bottom Tier as reported by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. For two years running (2009 and 2010) the NWT was awarded the dubious distinction of being “The Best Place to Abuse Animals”.

Some of you who have followed this Blog over the years are fully aware of the decades of unabated, un-prosecuted cases of horrific animal neglect and cruelty. Hopefully now the new Dog Act in conjunction with the Canadian Federal Criminal Code will put an end to the suffering and bring those who inflict such horror to justice.

To all of you who have given your support to myself and to the dogs here……THANK YOU!!!!

My work towards a Comprehensive Act will continue, monitoring and reporting of all animal cruelty incidents will continue.

There remains much work yet to be done. Municipalities across the NWT now need to ensure that the New Dog Act is enforced and if needed amend their own specific By-Laws accordingly; veterinary services across the NWT need to be expanded, educational programs on Animal Welfare and Care need to be implemented, fully equipped animal shelters need to be established, and most importantly fully trained qualified Animal Cruelty Investigators need to be implemented. All reports of suspected animal cruelty must be investigated and action taken to aid animals in crisis..remember that neglect abused dog on a two foot chain in a neighbors yard may very well reflect the potential family abuse within that home. The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Human Violence is very real.

http://pet.firstblogfirst.com/2011/01/17/discerning-the-truth-about-abuse/

http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/abuse_connection.php

Animal Abuse and Conduct Disorder

http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/jjbul2001_9_2/page5.html

Looking Out for Family Pets:Recognizing the Connection between Animal Cruelty and Family Violence

http://www.owjn.org/owjn_2009/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127&Itemid=107

NWT CABINET VOTED TO RETAIN “EXCEPTION CLAUSE” IN NEW DOG ACT DESPITE OPPOSITION TO CLAUSE

http://giftofloki.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/nwt-cabinet-voted-to-retain-exception-clause-in-new-dog-act-despite-opposition-to-clause/