Ontario Updates Animal Welfare Law

Finally. It's the first update since 1919. That's right 1919. Yeesh.

Bill 50 makes it a provincial offence to abuse any animal, and it establishes the strongest penalties in the country for those charged with animal cruelty -- including the potential to prohibit offenders from owning animals ever again. The Ontario SPCA now has the ability to inspect facilities that keep animals for exhibition, entertainment, boarding, hire or sale. For the first time, animal care standards will be established and failure to comply with these standards will be an offence.

Glad they're finally doing something, but really, why has it taken this long?