“Animals are not freight” – Calgary group protests as Anita Krajnc trial is underway
Posted Aug 29, 2016 3:08 pm.
Last Updated Aug 29, 2016 3:19 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
As a Canadian case involving pig transportation gets international attention, animal protests are taking place around the world, including in Calgary.
About 30 to 40 people stood in front of the Harry Hays Building Monday afternoon, holding up signs and handing out leaflets on what they call the shameful treatment of animals during live transportation.
It was part of an international day of protests on animal abuse, following the jury proceedings of the Anita Krajnc mischief trial.
Krajnc is charged with mischief in the June 2015 incident in which she was filmed giving water to pigs inside of a crammed transport truck in Ontario.
She has pleaded not guilty and her lawyers have said they will argue she did it for the good of the public.
At the Calgary protest on Monday, Maureen Hurly of Canadians Against Live Export said it goes to show what animals go through.
“Compassion should not be considered a crime, which is basically, her actions are being criminalized,” Hurly said, adding it’s shedding some light on on their cause.
CALE has held similar protests before, specifically around the treatment of live horses from Calgary to Japan, with the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition claiming they are shipped in small crates and unable to stand, while being denied food and water during their journey, sometimes over a day and a half.
“We need the public to be aware of how far behind Canada is in transport laws with regards to animals,” Vickie Colgan, also with CALE, said, adding we should be looking to the European Union’s guidelines, including different lengths of time for transport, being in a climate-controlled vehicle with food, water and rest.”
Hurly said Canadian laws are badly outdated when it comes to animal transport and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency doesn’t do enough to enforce current violations.
The CFIA has released the following statement to 660NEWS:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recognizes and shares the passion that Canadians have for animals and takes the issue of humane treatment of animals and safe transport very seriously.
The Health of Animals Regulations help transporters make sure that all animals are treated humanely as they are moved into, within or out of Canada.
In Canada, every person who transports animals must make sure that every step – from loading and transporting to unloading – does not cause injury or suffering to the animals.
Any person involved in the transport of animals must make sure that the animals are fit for the trip.
The CFIA investigates any concerns that are reported and situations where laws and regulations may not have been followed. Whenever these laws and regulations are not followed, the CFIA takes action. This can include anything from fines to suspending operations or even prosecution.
Any animal abuse, including neglect, could lead to convictions under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The Government of Canada is currently reviewing the Health of Animals Regulations to take into account current science and ensure the humane treatment of animals during transportation.
