Good News From New Brunswick

An email just came in from my friend Nicole Thebeau at Kent County Animal Rescue in New Brunswick. She was passing along good news she had just received, so I'll just copy part of the message here.

This is an important step forward because it means that we're making headway in raising awareness that animal abuse is a serious crime. It could also mean that more in government are realizing that animal abuse and domestic abuse are closely related.

This has been a battle, and so many are ignorant. I once had our County Sheriff tell me that there was NO known connection between dog fighting and domestic abuse or any other crimes. Of course, the connection is well documented, but she hadn't bothered to learn that - or chose not to believe it.

Maybe what it takes to get this kind of response in the U.S. is for more of us to speak out - contact our City, County, State, and Federal government leaders, write letters and articles, and of course support our local rescues.

Anyway... here's their good news:

"UPDATE
I am pleased to inform you that late this afternoon the New Brunswick government house leader and the opposition house leader signed an agreement that guarantees the passage of the amendment to the SPCA ACT Bill 85 that will increase fines for individuals and businesses who abuse and neglect animals to a maximum of $100,000 and/or 18 months jail time. The bill will be brought to third reading by June 18th.

This will make New Brunswick fines for animal abuse the harshest in Canada. This sends a strong message that New Brunswick will not be a haven for those who abuse animals. This is only a start. There is much more to do."


If YOU have good news to share, please help yourself to the comment button and start writing. All of us who love dogs (and other pets) love to know when good things are happening to benefit them.