16 of 48 Rescued Cats From Mohawk Road East Euthanized

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16 of 48 Rescued Cats From Mohawk Road East Euthanized

 

Wednesday, August 27, 2003 – 2:44 p.m. EST

 

Hamilton, Ontario: 16 of 48 cats rescued from a Mohawk Road East

home on Hamilton Mountain last Friday, that were surrendered by their

owner late yesterday afternoon had to be euthanized this morning for

health and socialization reasons.

 

The remaining 32 cats are being monitored, receiving medical

treatment and assessed.

 

Until a full assessment has been completed the remaining 32 cats

rescued by the Hamilton\Burlington SPCA last Friday will not be

available for adoption.

 

It is a difficult time for all the dedicated staff at the

Hamilton\Burlington SPCA when euthanization becomes the final option.

 

The rescue of the remaining cats at the Mohawk Road East home is now

being hampered due to the lack of electricity. Hydro to the house has

been disconnected. Animal Protection Officers are still laying live

traps in an effort to remove the undetermined number of remaining

cats from the house. Fresh food and water is being given to the cats

on a regular basis.

 

Charges in this case are pending.

 

To date, the cost of Friday's rescue is in excess of $4,500.00

 

This rescue has put a strain on the resources of the

Hamilton\Burlington SPCA. Members of the community wishing to donate

financially please donate on-line at www.hamiltonspca.com or call us

at (905) 574-7722.

 

This rescue is another example of why Bill C-10B, Amendments to the

Animal Cruelty Provisions of the Criminal Code must be passed into

law. This fall, Bill C-10B will once again be on the Order Paper.

 

The amendments will provide tougher penalties for those convicted of

willful and unnecessary animal cruelty or neglect, including the

ability to ban offenders from owning animals in the future. Under

these new laws for example, the Vaughan, Ontario puppy mills owners

could be prevented from simply starting up their operation again.

 

The establishment of animal cruelty crimes as hybrid offences, rather

than punishable only as summary conviction offences, provides judges

with broader sentencing discretion. This change, along with moving

animal cruelty offences out of the property crimes section of the

Criminal Code and into a new section, signals a new level of

importance for these crimes. This will be a critical signal to

police, prosecutors and judges to treat such crimes seriously,

particularly for repeat offences and for heinous animal cruelty.

 

Members of the public are invited to sign our on line Bill C-10B

Petition at www.petradionet.com/petition.htm.

 

 

Rob McConnell, of Communications,

Hamilton\Burlington SPCA,

245 Dartnall Road,

Hamilton, Ontario,

Canada – L8W 3V9

Tel: (905) 574-7722 Ext. 417

rmcconnell

www.hamiltonspca.com