Avertissement de la SPCA ontarienne...

[Animal 0]

Ontario SPCA
(Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

TRANSPORT DE MOUTONS ET DE CHÈVRES EN PARTANCE DE L'OUEST CANADIEN VERS LES ENCANS ET LES ABATTOIR ONTARIENS




Media Release
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Ontario SPCA reminds western Canada truckers and sheep and goat producers to
abide by transport regulations

Newmarket, Ont. (March 9, 2005) -

The Ontario SPCA's Investigations Department is reminding sheep and goat
producers and truckers from western Canada transporting sheep or goats for
sale to Ontario this Easter season to abide by the federal Animal Transport
Regulations, the Criminal Code of Canada and provincial legislation.

:evil:
"Last year we found a number of problems with sheep and goats from western
Canada that were arriving at Ontario sales barns. These problems included
the transport of animals that were pregnant, and transporters not
appropriately dealing with animals that became non-ambulatory or fallen
during transit. This will not be tolerated and will lead to prosecution,"
says Mike Draper, Ontario SPCA's Chief Inspector.

A non-ambulatory animal is one that is unable to stand without assistance,
or is unable to move without being dragged or carried. A fallen animal is
one that is suffering from disease, emaciation or other condition likely to
cause death.

The Ontario SPCA reminds producers and truckers:

Do not:
§ Load or transport pregnant animals that may give birth during the journey,
at the sales barn or at the abattoir.
§ Load or transport non-ambulatory animals, or animals likely to become
non-ambulatory, or animals that will otherwise be caused to suffer during
the journey.
§ Transport livestock in overcrowded conditions or mix species of animals.
§ Move or transport a fallen animal. Load or transport emaciated or
otherwise compromised animals.
§ Ensure that animals segregated in trucks receive extra protection from
cold and wind chill; supply ample bedding.

Do:
§ Segregate animals of different species or substantially different weights
and ages, or those incompatible by nature.
§ Ensure that animals segregated in trucks receive extra protection from
cold and wind chill; supply ample bedding.
§ Ensure that animals unloaded for feed, water and rest remain at the
unloading location for at least five hours.
§ Have sufficient headroom for animals to stand in a natural position.
§ Ensure that non-ambulatory or fallen animals are dealt with in an
expeditious and humane manner.


Ontario SPCA Inspectors will be monitoring Ontario sales barns during the
Easter season and will lay charges if an offence under criminal or
provincial legislation is found. Further, the Ontario SPCA is cooperating
with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and will forward cases,
where appropriate, to CFIA for prosecution.

Further information on the proper transport of animals can be found on
CFIA's website at www.inspection.gc.ca or the Ontario SPCA website:
www.ospca.on.ca.

For media enquiries, please call: Doug Rombough, Ontario SPCA Livestock
Inspector, 1-888-668-7722, ext. 347.

A word about the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(Ontario SPCA):
The Ontario SPCA, with 27 Branches and 31 affiliated humane societies and
SPCA's, is unique amongst animal welfare organizations in Ontario: the
Ontario SPCA Act mandates the Society to enforce animal cruelty laws and
provides Society investigators with police powers to do so.
The Society is a registered charity, relying on donations to fund animal
protection, care and rehabilitation for all animals, government and industry
advocacy and public education.
The Ontario SPCA is a member of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
(CFHS) and is affiliated with the Royal Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Charitable Business Number 88969 1044 RR0002