Riverview, NB – A Moncton woman who helps rescue abused and neglected dogs says the newly-elected Liberal government needs to change the laws to improve animals rights in the province.
Pauline Cormier runs On The Mend Dog Rescue, which is a service that helps find new homes for dogs with a troubled past.
She says the Liberals needs to realize that animals are more than just property.
“I think mainly we need to change the status of dogs in the way the law sees them. The law today sees them as property,” she said. “I think if we change that status to non-human persons that would change everything: how we look at the protection of dogs.”
She says the present laws aren’t strong enough to protect animals in abuse situations.
“What’s going now we have to stop it because dogs are suffering and even dogs we don’t know are suffering,” she said.
Other pet owners agree.
Elizabeth Fontaine says animals aren’t getting the protection they need.
“Currently, there are too many people getting away with some very cruel acts against pets and I think it’s time that was stopped,” she said.
Cormier and Fontaine were some of the people who took part in Greater Moncton’s first Pet Expo.
The Expo featured pet products and experts to share tips on pet care.
Cathy Hiscock helped organize the event and says it was meant to encourage people to take better care of their pets.
“Responsible pet ownership is absolutely the Number One thing we’re trying to promote here,” she said. “Which is why we have all the breeders and rescue groups.”
New Brunswick is poised to make changes; new laws this winter will limit dog tethering outside.
But Hiscock says, along with changing the rules, they need to be enforced to make a difference.
“Animals are freezing to death while people are inside their homes,” she said. “Especially in the case of dogs and most dogs are pack animals so they want to be with the family instead of being outside in a pen.”
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