As the Ontario SPCA faces criticism from animal rights activists that it's not doing enough to protect dogs tied up outside in the extreme cold, an SPCA spokesperson said this practice isn't against the law.
The law, does, however, require that dogs that primarily live outside have access to a weatherproofed, insulated doghouse with adequate bedding, said Jennifer Bluhm, deputy chief of the Ontario SPCA.
“If the dog is tied outside with a chain or rope, that chain or rope needs to be at least three meters long to allow the dog to safely move in and out unrestricted of that shelter,” she said.
“That tether must allow that dog to have appropriate water and shelter at all times.”
That being said, the SPCA does encourage people to keep their pets inside in the extreme cold, and even put out a press release to that effect Dec. 28.
When a SPCA investigator receives a call about a dog tied outside that someone thinks is in distress, they will investigate.
“Our officers respond to these type of calls very regularly,” Bluhm said. “Every day we're responding to these type of concerns and making sure that animals are safe.”
In some cases, animals can be seized.
“Under the Ontario SPCA Act, there are certain provisions that allow for animal to be removed,” she said. “There would have to have distress present, and orders not being complied with and the dog being in immediate distress.”
As for those concerned with animal welfare laws not going far enough, Bluhm encourages them to contact their provincial or federal political representatives.
“Those are the people that can make the difference for legislation,” she said. “We're not the lawmakers. We enforce the laws that are in place, and we do that every day to the best of our ability.”
Members of Animal Justice Sudbury and Area, which protested on the Lasalle Boulevard extension outside of the local SPCA branch Jan. 5, said it doesn't think the SPCA is doing a good enough job of enforcing animal protection laws.
Natasha Lachance, who's the co-administrator of the group, said members have reported several dogs in this region tied outside in extreme weather that they think are at risk.
That includes a four-month-old puppy on the Shawanaga First Nation near Parry Sound, which didn't have any access to shelter at all until members of the Animal Justice group brought it an uninsulated dog house.
The owners were even offered $1,000 to take the thin-coated puppy off of their hands, but were told to mind their own business, she said.
-With files from Heather Green-Oliver
