Cruelty Investigation

LEGISLATION
An Act to Protect Animals and to Aid Animals that are in Distress:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/PDFs/annual%20statutes/2008%20Fall/c033.pdf

What is cruelty?
The Nova Scotia SPCA is empowered under the provincial Animal Cruelty Prevention Act to investigate complaints of animal cruelty; help secure the arrest, conviction and punishment of all persons violating the Act; and, when necessary, seize animals from situations of cruelty or neglect. Animal cruelty is defined under the Act as:

Willfully causing an animal unnecessary pain, suffering or injury.
Causing or permitting an animal in your care to be or to continue to be in distress, with distress meaning:
- in need of adequate care, food, water or shelter; or
- injured, sick, in pain, or suffering undue hardship, privation or neglect.

The Nova Scotia SPCA employs three paid Cruelty Investigators and several volunteer Special Constables to carry out its mandate of preventing and investigating animal cruelty. The Nova Scotia SPCA investigated 1,264 cruelty complaints in 2008, up from 955 in 2007. Animal cruelty is a CRIME. It can mean many different acts, from abandonment or neglect to malicious torture or killing.

Possible Signs of Animal Abuse:

Physical Signs

Collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet’s neck
Open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds or an ongoing injury or illness that isn’t being treated Unexplained wounds, patches of missing fur, lameness
Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes
Extreme thinness or emaciation—bones may be visible
Fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites
Patches of bumpy, scaly skin rashes
Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat
Weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally
Heavy discharge from eyes or nose
An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal
Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness
Being hit or beaten by a hand or object
Sick or injured but not under a vet’s care

Environmental Signs

Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary
Pets living in unsanitary conditions
Pets are kept outside in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter
Pets are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them
Animals are housed in kennels or cages (very often crowded in with other animals) that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements possibly with too many other animals
Animal “hoarders” - people who collect too many animals to properly care for them

What happens to mistreated animals?
Nova Scotia SPCA Investigators and Special Constables have the authority of peace officers when enforcing laws pertaining to animal welfare and cruelty prevention. Upon finding an animal in distress, if the owner or caretaker does not act or cannot be found, Special Constables are permitted to take such action as they consider necessary to relieve the distress. This may include:

Taking the animal into protective custody;
Arranging for any necessary transportation, food, water, care, shelter and medical treatment; or
Delivering the animal into the custody of the Society or another suitable caretaker.

Individuals found guilty of animal cruelty may be charged and fined up to $5000 and/or receive a jail term of up to six months and/or may be prohibited from owning animals for life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Cruelty

Q. Is it against the law to leave a dog (or other animal) outside all winter long?
A. According to the Nova Scotia Animal Cruelty Prevention Act, the owner or caretaker of an animal must provide it with proper shelter and protection from the weather. Therefore, a dog or other animal may remain outdoors provided it is in good health and weight (for its breed), has access to an appropriate shelter, and is not of an age or breed where temperatures could be potentially dangerous (very young or old animal). The Nova Scotia SPCA recommends, however, that all domestic animals should be allowed access to the inside, especially during temperature extremes.

Q. My neighbor recently moved away and left two cats behind. Is that illegal?
A. Yes. Whether as owner or custodian, any such person who willfully abandons an animal is in violation of Nova Scotia cruelty laws.

Q. I know of someone who isn't caring for their pet properly. Can you come and take it?
A. In order to take an animal into custody, a Nova Scotia SPCA investigator must:
1. Obtain a surrender from the owner;
2. Obtain a warrant from the court authorizing the removal of the animal;
3. Find the animal in distress, and be unable to locate the owner or caregiver; or
4. Deem the situation to be an emergency.

Reporting Cruelty
The Nova Scotia SPCA encourages individuals to report all suspected cases of abuse or neglect. Without the assistance of the public, our mission to prevent cruelty to animals, help animals in need, and prosecute offenders would be nearly impossible.

If you suspect animal cruelty, call the Nova Scotia SPCA provincial office at 902-835-4798 or toll-free at 1-888-703-7722.

The Nova Scotia SPCA provincial office is staffed from 9AM to 5PM Monday to Friday. When calling after hours, please leave a brief message along with your name, and the phone number where you may be reached during normal business hours. Outside regular office hours, if you feel you are dealing with an emergency, please call your local police department or RCMP detachment.

We will respond to your complaint as quickly as we can, but we have a limited number of qualified agents spread around the province, and we must prioritize the reports we receive. If you feel the situation you reported is worsening, or becoming urgent, please call to let us know that things have changed. If you are dealing with a true emergency, and an animal is at risk or permanent injury or death, call your local police department or RCMP detachment. All complaints are strictly confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions about Reporting Animal Cruelty

Q. Do I need to leave my name to make a cruelty complaint?
A. It is preferred that you leave your name. All calls are confidential, and a complainant’s identity is strictly protected from disclosure to others. While anonymous complaints are accepted, the Society makes every effort to maintain the confidentiality of complainants and their name and telephone number is important in the event that additional information is needed by the investigator. In addition, with anonymous complainants, investigators have no ability to check the status of the complaint against the accused. Therefore, anonymous complaints will be reviewed on a case by case basis. They will be investigated based on the level of detail provided by the complainant, the number of complaints against the individual or property, and the availability of resources in the area.

Q. Who do I call concerning a problem I saw at a pet store?
A. Nova Scotia SPCA investigators are authorized to inspect pet shops that offer animals, birds, fish or reptiles for sale or exhibit within the province of Nova Scotia; however, they can only act if animals are found in distress and the owner or caregiver is unwilling to remedy the distress.

Q. Do I call the Nova Scotia SPCA about stray dogs?
A. No. You should call your municipal Animal Control agency.

Q. What about stray cats?
A. Although the Nova Scotia SPCA makes every effort to shelter stray cats when space is available, stray and feral cat overpopulation is becoming an epidemic in this province, and cat control does not fall within the Nova Scotia SPCA's mandate. Unfortunately, Municipal Animal Control agencies generally refuse to respond to stray cat populations unless the municipality concerned has a cat by-law. If you are concerned about stray and feral cats in your area, please write to your local councillor to tell them you expect your local government to intervene.