Beaconsfield lauded for ‘groundbreaking’ animal rights law

BEACONSFIELD – A Beaconsfield anti-cruelty bylaw is being championed by animal rights activists for being a model for the province.

Last month, Beaconsfield’s city council passed a series of zoning regulations and bylaws that called for steep fines at the municipal levels.

“The big change is thinking of animals as sentient beings, not property,” said Karen Messier, a Beaconsfield city councillor

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The laws stipulate fines, ranging from $100 to $7,500, will be distributed for various infractions like leaving a dog in a hot car or tethered outside.

On top of the animal cruelty point, the centrepiece of the legislation makes the sale of animals illegal in Beaconsfield.

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Currently, there’s only one pet shop in the city, but it only sells equipment.

Animal rights activists said the new laws are a model for other municipalities in the province.