Latest news with #AnimalJustice
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Advocates form Animal Justice Task Force ahead Gov. DeSantis signing 'Dexter's' and 'Trooper's' bills
The Brief Animal advocates have formed an Animal Justice Task Force ahead of Governor Ron DeSantis signing Dexter's Bill and Trooper's Bill into law. The Animal Justice Task Force was established to keep advocating for animals, with members tracking animal abuse and cruelty cases, and writing to prosecutors and legislators. It comes before a private ceremony at a Palm Beach County animal rescue, where DeSantis is scheduled to sign Trooper's Law and Dexter's Law. PALM HARBOR, Fla. - Animal advocates have formed an Animal Justice Task Force ahead of Governor Ron DeSantis signing Dexter's Bill and Trooper's Bill into law. The backstory Elizabeth Olson began volunteering at Pinellas County Animal Service in 2009 and started her own rescue, Rescue Pink. She said the outpouring of support for Dexter and Trooper inspired her to keep the momentum going. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "I said 'we have to keep doing this. We have to keep trying to change things and showing up,'" she said. Big picture view Last week, she established the Animal Justice Task Force to keep advocating for animals. Members would track animal abuse and cruelty cases, and write to prosecutors and legislators. "Show up at some peaceful protests," she said. "Just be part of the group, the force that says, 'we're here watching, and we want justice because way too many cases don't get it." RELATED: 'Trooper' the dog found tied to fence during Hurricane Milton adopted by Florida family She said for now, the task force operates on YouTube and Facebook. To learn more, click here. "I really need help with research and legal help. If there's any attorneys especially criminal attorneys," she said. "You could spend five minutes, or you could spend hours. Anything you want to do to help is a plus." Dig deeper On Wednesday, in a private ceremony at a Palm Beach County animal rescue, DeSantis is scheduled to sign Trooper's Law and Dexter's Law. PREVIOUS: Man convicted of decapitating newly adopted dog, dumping body in Fort De Soto Trooper's Law is in honor of a dog found abandoned by a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol ahead of Hurricane Milton. The dog was tethered to a fence on I-75. Trooper's Law would make abandoning an animal during a natural disaster a third-degree felony. The penalty would be up to five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Dexter's Law is in honor of a rescue dog who was found decapitated and dumped in a Pinellas County park shortly after he was adopted. Dexter's Law would increase punishment for especially heinous animal cruelty cases and an offender database on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's website. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
CBC
26-05-2025
- CBC
Private prosecution trial of Manitoba live-horse exporter adjourned
Social Sharing A two-day trial for a Manitoba farm that exports live horses was adjourned Monday on the day after the defence successfully argued a late disclosure of documents could negatively affect their ability to properly cross-examine an expert witness and defend their client. It's believed to be the first case of the rarely-used private prosecution connected to farmed animals. A private citizen applied for a charge to be laid against Carolyle Farms, a live-horse exporter in Swan River, Man., and a judge granted the request last year. The case involves an air shipment of live horses from Winnipeg to Japan in December 2022. The plane was scheduled to stop for a crew change and refuelling in Anchorage, Alaska, but it had to find an alternate route due to a blizzard. Combined with delays in Winnipeg, it's alleged the shipment exceeded the 28-hour maximum time live horses can be transported without food, water and rest. In February 2024, a provincial court judge allowed one charge to be laid against Carolyle Farms. The charge was brought forward by Camille Labchuk, the executive director of the non-profit Animal Justice, and falls under a section of Canada's Health of Animals Regulations, which requires a contingency plan in cases where unforeseen circumstances or delays could lead to an animal's death, injury or suffering. On Monday, provincial court Judge Stacy Cawley granted Labchuk's lawyer Dan Stein's request to amend the wording of the charge from "failed to implement a contingency plan" to "failed to have a contingency plan." In asking for an adjournment on the day the trial was set to start, defence lawyer Lindsay Mulholland raised concerns about the late disclosure of some documents last week and Sunday evening. In particular, the discussion centred around the prosecution's notes that include details about the advocacy of their animal welfare expert witness, Renee Bergeron, such as petitions she has signed in favour of changing legislation surrounding the export of live horses. Mulholland argued she needed more time with the information to prepare for her cross-examination of the witness. Judge Cawley granted the adjournment, saying it came down to fairness. "I appreciate from the private prosecutor's perspective, some of the information may be easy to digest with a view to moving the matter forward," Cawley said. "However, it is a dangerous practice for the court to assume that they know and understand any strategy decisions and considerations that defence wishes to make." "The recent information concerning the proposed expert and the degree of her advocacy raises, it's obviously potentially relevant to independence and impartiality concerns that govern expert opinion evidence." The decision to adjourn the trial was disappointing to Labchuk. "We were very concerned that the CFIA [Canadian Food Inspection Agency] did not enforce laws designed to protect horses during transport," Labchuk said outside the law courts in Winnipeg. A group of animal welfare organizations — including Animal Justice, the Winnipeg Humane Society, the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition and Manitoba Animal Save — had initially filed a complaint with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency about the alleged incident, but it ended without penalty, which is what prompted the group to pursue private prosecution. New dates for the trial will be set in early June.
Winnipeg Free Press
26-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Judge adjourns landmark private prosecution animal-rights case until later date
What was supposed to be the start of landmark court proceedings in Winnipeg — believed to be the first time a private prosecution involving farm animals has reached trial in Canada — was quickly adjourned Monday to a later date. Animal-rights organization Animal Justice took the rare step of obtaining judicial approval to privately prosecute Swan River-area horse exporter Carolyle Farms over a Dec. 12, 2022 shipment by air of horses which it alleges violated the law. The animal-rights organization alleges the shipment of horses to Japan, where horse meat is sold raw as a culinary delicacy, unlawfully exceeded the 28-hour time limit under federal legislation that live horses are allowed to be in transport without food and water. The farm owners' defence lawyer, Lindsay Mulholland, successfully argued for an adjournment over late disclosure in front of provincial court Judge Stacy Cawley, after private prosecutor Dan Stein disclosed evidence to her last week and Sunday evening. Mulholland argued she needed more time to review the evidence in order to fully answer to the charge on behalf of her client. Among the evidence she said she received late was the extent one of the private prosecution's proposed expert witnesses had advocated against the horse-shipment industry, including by signing a petition seeking legislative change. Stein opposed the motion, arguing the defence had most of the evidence that was to be called, with only minor information sent late, while questions of the qualifications of expert witnesses had been raised at pre-trial. 'In my view, fairness dictates that I must grant the adjournment request in order to make full answer in defence,' said Cawley. Animal Justice alleges the farm failed to have a contingency plan in place to respond to unforeseen delays that could result in the suffering of an animal. Farm owner Lyle Lumax previously argued the shipment followed best practices, with input on the ground from Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials, Japanese officials and the plane company. Private prosecutions, which are rarely heard in the Canadian justice system, involve an individual — rather than authorities such as police or the Crown — with evidence of reasonable and probable grounds asking the court to authorize a charge against a person they believe committed a crime. The charge was approved to proceed to trial by a provincial court judge last year. Further trial dates are to be set early next month. Erik PinderaReporter Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Erik. Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
20-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Giant Destroyer on hold as city waits for provincial approval to attack squirrel problem
The City of Winnipeg has yet to secure provincial approval for its plan to treat ground squirrels with a lethal pesticide, creating a delay in the program amid concerns over animal rights. The city initially planned to start using a sulfur gas product known as 'Giant Destroyer' to euthanize the animals at eight parks and community centre fields on Tuesday. Without treatment, city officials have warned ground squirrels can create deep dips and holes in athletic fields and green spaces where people and pets can trip and hurt themselves. COLIN CORNEAU / BRANDON SUN FILES A March public service report notes the city used poison to control ground squirrels in the past before switching to sulfur gas and then carbon monoxide. There is no clear date for the program to begin, a city spokesman confirmed. 'The program is paused while we await provincial approval of our pesticide use permit. That will determine when the program can proceed,' said Kalen Qually, in an email. 'The ground squirrel populations in some athletic fields are creating significant damage and safety concerns for the public. This is the interim management strategy while alternative methods are researched,' added Qually. Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy for the group Animal Justice, accused the city of failing to give sufficient details in a public notice about the ground squirrel program. That notice neglected to say exactly where the gas would be used, key information for residents who live next to the sites and might want to object to the program, Mitchell said. 'Because they haven't even listed where it's going to be used, if I was a neighbouring property owner, I might not even know that it's being used next to my property, let alone that I have the right to object,' she said. A city report posted online in March listed the affected parks as Charleswood Place, Beryl Watts Park/Vince Leah Community Centre, Fairgrove Bay Park, Woodsworth Park, Shaughnessy Park, Weston Memorial Community Centre, Theodore Niitzhotay Fontaine Park and St. James Memorial Sports Park. While those sites have also been listed in some news stories, people who read only the public notice may not have been aware of the locations, said Mitchell. She also objects to the program itself, arguing a trap-and-release strategy that started in March, before new offspring were born, would have been more effective and humane. 'I certainly don't advocate for any lethal methods but if you are going to use a lethal method, then at the very least we should be looking at methods that cause immediate death and that is not the case with Giant Destroyer. My understanding is animals can take up to an hour or even more to die. It's really horrific,' she said. Danae Tonge, an organizer with Manitoba Animal Save, also objects to the use of sulfur gas on ground squirrels, which she fears would put predators, pets and people at risk of exposure to the gas, too. 'It really is the cruellest way we could possibly deal with this situation,' said Tonge. She said a trap-and-release program or other alternative, such as using drugs to prevent the animals from producing offspring, are better options. The chairwoman of council's community services committee said some residents objected to the program, which led the province to review the permit application. 'My understanding is several residents have appealed and the province required the City of Winnipeg to explain why we're (using) the Giant Destroyer,' said Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas). 'There was obviously a delay because the province hasn't issued a permit yet. Mayor Scott Gillingham said city staff carefully considered all options for ground squirrel control and remain open-minded to new methods, though they will use sulfur gas this season. 'Our fields need to be maintained in a condition where people can use them and use them safely … When there are holes in the fields, they're, frankly, dangerous. You've got kids or adults that are running, and you can trip in those holes and get injured. And, so, we need to make sure that we're doing all we can to maintain the surfaces of our fields and parks for our users,' said Gillingham. The mayor said he hopes the permit issue is settled soon, so work to maintain sports fields isn't delayed. In a brief emailed statement, a provincial spokeswoman confirmed the permit is still being assessed. 'The Province of Manitoba required further information from the City of Winnipeg in order to process the application. That documentation has now been received. The application is still under review,' the statement said. Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. A March public service report notes the city used poison to control ground squirrels in the past before switching to sulfur gas and then carbon monoxide. All treatment was paused in 2024, due to concerns that carbon monoxide machines were not safe for employees. Ground squirrels have since caused extensive damage to fields, creating a safety hazard, the report states. The public service is exploring other control methods for the future, such as carbon dioxide, it notes. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Reconsidering Manitoba's war on ‘pests'
Opinion As Danae Tonge made her way to Warren, Man. last month, to peacefully protest a wildlife hunting contest taking place the next day, it quickly became apparent that her plans would need to change. Tonge, along with other members of activist group Manitoba Animal Save, were greeted by a group of hostile hunters, blocking the road with a sign draped by animal skin and antlers, reading 'No tree huggers.' Tonge says she felt unsafe, so she told her group to go home. The plan had been to protest, and to bear witness to the crows and magpies due to be hunted down the following day as part of a contest held by Woodlands and District Wildlife Federation. 'Teams of two will compete to harvest the most birds,' the flier reads, 'with cash prizes awarded to the top scoring teams.' The birds are considered by some to be 'pests,' potentially harmful to young livestock (who of course will eventually be killed, too). In Manitoba, ravens are protected under the provincial Wildlife Act, but crows and magpies are not, and shooting them for fun appears to be a common springtime activity in some Manitoba communities. Minnedosa will be holding a similar contest this weekend, but this one will also include gophers. Killing a gopher will get you one point. Magpies are worth three. Manitoba Animal Save won't be protesting the Minnedosa event. Instead, they, along with other advocacy groups, Animal Justice and The Winnipeg Humane Society, are calling on the provincial government to amend the Wildlife Act to include crows and magpies, or even better — to ban these contests altogether. 'The Winnipeg Humane Society strongly opposes the killing of crows, magpies, gophers and all other species for sport,' says director of animal advocacy, Krista Boryskavich. The organization is also advocating for 'legislative amendments to require an independent, third-party scientific report prior to undertaking population management measures, which would ensure that population management is only carried out if … necessary,' and 'in the most humane manner possible.' Concerns about population control also extend to the issue of ground squirrels — another small animal deemed by some as 'pests.' Later this month the City of Winnipeg plans to gas ground squirrels to death in their burrows across eight city parks, due to their holes supposedly being a danger to people and pets. The lethal pesticide is called 'Giant Destroyer,' and Kaitlyn Mitchell, a Winnipeg lawyer with Animal Justice, says it can take up to an hour or more to actually kill the squirrel. She calls the method cruel and says there are better options. 'A more effective approach would be to hire experienced biologists or other experts' she writes in a statement, 'to live-trap animals if absolutely necessary in March, before young are born.' Waiting until May means baby squirrels will also be gassed. Ultimately, it's the labelling of certain wild animals as 'pests' that allows for this type of treatment to take place. But this branding is both misguided and dangerous. Such language shapes perception — and policy — toward eradication rather than co-existence. Across Manitoba and beyond, these animals are treated as nuisances simply for surviving among us. But who's encroaching upon whom? These wild animals are simply adapting to the spaces we've created in their habitats. They aren't invaders; they're survivors. And unfairly categorizing them as 'pests' allows for the casual use of terrifying killing methods like trapping, poisoning, hunting and culling. 'We need solutions rooted in ecology, not extermination,' says Lesley Fox, executive director of wildlife advocacy group, The Fur Bearers. The term 'pest' inaccurately implies worthlessness, but all species play important roles in our shared ecosystems. Ground squirrels, says Fox, are a species whose burrows help aerate our soil. They also help disperse seeds and support biodiversity. 'Labelling these and other animals as 'pests' oversimplifies complex ecosystems,' she says, adding that 'co-existence isn't just possible, it's necessary.' As for this weekend's hunting contest in Minnedosa, Tonge is encouraging Manitoba animal lovers to contact provincial Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie to add pressure to the campaign to amend the Manitoba Wildlife Act. And for those wanting to speak up for Winnipeg ground squirrels, Mitchell says to reach out to your city councillor. 'It's not too late,' she says, for the city to take a second look at this 'cruel plan.' Thinking of certain animals as mere pests ignores our responsibility in the natural imbalances we've created — and the respect owed to fellow beings who are simply trying to live. Other solutions exist, we just need to be a society that insists on them. Jessica Scott-Reid is a Winnipeg journalist and independent animal advocate. She is also the disinformation correspondent for Sentient, and a former member of the Winnipeg Humane Society board of directors.
