New federal animal cruelty law introducedFebruary 6, 2019Congressmen Vern Buchanan and Ted Deutch have introduced the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act to outlaw and prosecute those involved in the abuse and killing of animals. PACT builds on the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act passed in 2010 by closing loopholes and prohibiting cases of animal abuse. While the previous legislation made the creation, sale, and distribution of animal "crushing" videos illegal, these acts of cruelty against animals remain legal. "The torture of innocent animals is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law," Buchanan said. "Protecting animals from cruelty is a top priority for me and I look forward to working with Congressman Deutch on this important issue." The new legislation will amend the federal criminal code to prohibit intentional acts of crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, or otherwise subjecting animals to serious bodily harm. If passed, those prosecuted and convicted will face federal felony charges, fines, and up to seven years in prison. Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), said, "Decades ago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recognized the seriousness of animal cruelty and its link to escalating violence toward humans. Representatives Deutch and Buchanan are tremendous …
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Animal cruelty charges against St. Catharines vet droppedNovember 3, 2017Animal cruelty charges have been dropped against Dr. Mahavir Rekhi, the veterinarian of Skyway Animal Hospital in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, who made national headlines for animal abuse and was charged with 16 counts of animal cruelty. Dr. Rekhi faced eight counts of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal and eight counts of failing to provide suitable and adequate care for an animal. Rekhi was charged by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) after a group of his former employees approached CTV News Toronto in 2016 with video showing Rekhi choking and hitting animals in his care. The charges were dropped by the state because the OSPCA investigation proceeded without first obtaining a formal complaint. Canada's Crown said that Rekhi already was disciplined from the College of Veterinarians of Ontario; college found him guilty of professional misconduct and suspended him for 10 months. He returned to work at the clinic in February after submitting to retraining and unannounced inspections. Rekhi continues to practice at Skyway Animal Hospital. In videos provided to CTV News Toronto, Rekhi can be seen hitting a dog over its snout with nail clippers …
Study shows difference between accidents and abuse in animalsMay 25, 2016A veterinarian sees a canine patient with severe rib and head injuries whose cause of injury is unknown. Without having witnessed the incident, how can the veterinary professional distinguish an accident from abuse?
