C-50
First Session, Thirty-eighth Parliament,
53-54 Elizabeth II, 2004-2005
HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
BILL C-50
An Act to amend the Criminal Code in respect of cruelty to animals
first reading, May 16, 2005
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE
90325
SUMMARY
This enactment would amend the Criminal Code by consolidating animal cruelty offences and increasing the maximum penalties.
Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca
.vis1 {position: absolute;display:block;}
.vis2 {position: static;}
1st Session, 38th Parliament,
53-54 Elizabeth II, 2004-2005
house of commons of canada
BILL C-50
An Act to amend the Criminal Code in respect of cruelty to animals
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
R.S., c. C-46
CRIMINAL CODE
1. The Criminal Code is amended by adding the following after section 182:
Explanatory NotesClause 1: New.
Notes explicativesArticle 1 : Nouveau.
PART V.1
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Definition of “animal”
182.1 In this Part, “animal” means a vertebrate, other than a human being.
Killing or harming animals
182.2 (1) Every one commits an offence who, wilfully or recklessly,
(a) causes or, being the owner, permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal;
(b) kills an animal or, being the owner, permits an animal to be killed, brutally or viciously, regardless of whether the animal dies immediately;
(c) kills an animal without lawful excuse;
(d) without lawful excuse, poisons an animal, places poison in such a position that it may easily be consumed by an animal, administers an injurious drug or substance to an animal or, being the owner, permits anyone to do any of those things;
(e) in any manner encourages, promotes, arranges, assists at or receives money for the fighting or baiting of animals, including training an animal to fight another animal;
(f) makes, maintains, keeps or allows to be made, maintained or kept a cockpit or any other arena for the fighting of animals on premises that he or she owns or occupies;
(g) promotes, arranges, conducts, assists in, receives money for or takes part in any meeting, competition, exhibition, pastime, practice, display or event at or in the course of which captive animals are liberated by hand, trap, contrivance or any other means for the purpose of being shot at the moment they are liberated; or
(h) being the owner, occupier or person in charge of any premises, permits the premises or any part of the premises to be used in the course of an activity referred to in paragraph (e) or (g).
Punishment
(2) Every one who commits an offence under subsection (1) is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or imprisonment for a term of not more than eighteen months or to both.
Failing to provide adequate care
182.3 (1) Every one commits an offence who
(a) negligently causes unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal;
(b) being the owner, or the person having the custody or control of an animal, wilfully or recklessly abandons it or negligently fails to provide suitable and adequate food, water, air, shelter and care for it; or
(c) negligently injures an animal while it is being conveyed.
Definition of “negligently”
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), “negligently” means departing markedly from the standard of care that a reasonable person would use.
Punishment
(3) Every one who commits an offence under subsection (1) is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or imprisonment for a term of not more than six months or to both.
Order of prohibition or restitution
182.4 (1) The court may, in addition to any other sentence that it may impose under subsection 182.2(2) or 182.3(3),
(a) make an order prohibiting the accused from owning, having the custody or control of or residing in the same premises as an animal for any period that the court considers appropriate, and in the case of a second or subsequent offence, for a minimum of five years; and
(b) on application of the Attorney General or on its own motion, order that the accused pay to a person or an organization that has taken care of an animal as a result of the commission of the offence the reasonable costs that the person or organization incurred in respect of the animal, if the costs are readily ascertainable.
Breach of order
(2) Every one who contravenes an order made under paragraph (1)(a) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Application
(3) Sections 740 to 741.2 apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, to orders made under paragraph (1)(b).
Common law defences
182.5 For greater certainty, the defences set out in subsection 429(2) apply, to the extent that they are relevant, in respect of proceedings for an offence under this Part.
Aboriginal rights
182.6 For greater certainty, nothing in this Part shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for existing aboriginal or treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada by the recognition and affirmation of those rights in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Definition of “law enforcement animal”
182.7 (1) In this section, “law enforcement animal” means a dog, a horse or any other animal used by a peace officer or public officer in the execution of their duties.
Poisoning, injuring or killing law enforcement animal
(2) Every one commits an offence who wilfully or recklessly poisons, injures or kills a law enforcement animal while it is aiding or assisting a peace officer or public officer engaged in the execution of their duties or a person acting in aid of such an officer.
Punishment
(3) Every one who commits an offence under subsection (2) is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term of not more than eighteen months, or to both.
Order of restitution
(4) The court may, in addition to any other sentence that it may impose under subsection (3), order the accused to pay all reasonable costs associated with the loss of or injury to the law enforcement animal as a result of the commission of the offence, if the costs are readily ascertainable.
R.S., c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 38
2. Paragraph 264.1(1)(c) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Clause 2: The relevant portion of subsection 264.1(1) reads as follows:
264.1 (1) Every one commits an offence who, in any manner, knowingly utters, conveys or causes any person to receive a threat
... 
(c) to kill, poison or injure an animal or bird that is the property of any person.
Article 2 : Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 264.1(1) :
264.1 (1) Commet une infraction quiconque sciemment profère, transmet ou fait recevoir par une personne, de quelque façon, une menace :
[...] 
c) de tuer, empoisonner ou blesser un animal ou un oiseau qui est la propriété de quelqu’un.
(c) to kill, poison or injure an animal that is the property of any person.
3. The heading before section 444 and sections 444 to 447 of the Act are repealed.
Clause 3: Existing text of the heading before section 444 and of sections 444 to 447:
Cattle and Other Animals
444. Every one who wilfully
(a) kills, maims, wounds, poisons or injures cattle, or
(b) places poison in such a position that it may easily be consumed by cattle,
is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
445. Every one who wilfully and without lawful excuse
(a) kills, maims, wounds, poisons or injures dogs, birds or animals that are not cattle and are kept for a lawful purpose, or
(b) places poison in such a position that it may easily be consumed by dogs, birds or animals that are not cattle and are kept for a lawful purpose,
is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Cruelty to Animals
446. (1) Every one commits an offence who
(a) wilfully causes or, being the owner, wilfully permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird;
(b) by wilful neglect causes damage or injury to animals or birds while they are being driven or conveyed;
(c) being the owner or the person having the custody or control of a domestic animal or a bird or an animal or a bird wild by nature that is in captivity, abandons it in distress or wilfully neglects or fails to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care for it;
(d) in any manner encourages, aids or assists at the fighting or baiting of animals or birds;
(e) wilfully, without reasonable excuse, administers a poisonous or an injurious drug or substance to a domestic animal or bird or an animal or a bird wild by nature that is kept in captivity or, being the owner of such an animal or a bird, wilfully permits a poisonous or an injurious drug or substance to be administered to it;
(f) promotes, arranges, conducts, assists in, receives money for or takes part in any meeting, competition, exhibition, pastime, practice, display or event at or in the course of which captive birds are liberated by hand, trap, contrivance or any other means for the purpose of being shot when they are liberated; or
(g) being the owner, occupier or person in charge of any premises, permits the premises or any part thereof to be used for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (f).
(2) Every one who commits an offence under subsection (1) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
(3) For the purposes of proceedings under paragraph (1)(a) or (b), evidence that a person failed to exercise reasonable care or supervision of an animal or a bird thereby causing it pain, suffering, damage or injury is, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, proof that the pain, suffering, damage or injury was caused or was permitted to be caused wilfully or was caused by wilful neglect, as the case may be.
(4) For the purpose of proceedings under paragraph (1)(d), evidence that an accused was present at the fighting or baiting of animals or birds is, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, proof that he encouraged, aided or assisted at the fighting or baiting.
(5) Where an accused is convicted of an offence under subsection (1), the court may, in addition to any other sentence that may be imposed for the offence, make an order prohibiting the accused from owning or having the custody or control of an animal or a bird during any period not exceeding two years.
(6) Every one who owns or has the custody or control of an animal or a bird while he is prohibited from doing so by reason of an order made under subsection (5) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
447. (1) Every one who builds, makes, maintains or keeps a cockpit on premises that he owns or occupies, or allows a cockpit to be built, made, maintained or kept on such premises is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
(2) A peace officer who finds cocks in a cockpit or on premises where a cockpit is located shall seize them and take them before a justice who shall order them to be destroyed.
Article 3 : Texte de l’intertitre et des articles 444 à 447 :
Bétail et autres animaux
444. Est coupable d’un acte criminel et passible d’un emprisonnement maximal de cinq ans quiconque volontairement, selon le cas :
a) tue, mutile, blesse, empoisonne ou estropie des bestiaux;
b) place du poison de telle manière qu’il puisse être facilement consommé par des bestiaux.
445. Est coupable d’une infraction punissable sur déclaration de culpabilité par procédure sommaire quiconque volontairement et sans excuse légitime, selon le cas :
a) tue, mutile, blesse, empoisonne ou estropie des chiens, oiseaux ou animaux qui ne sont pas des bestiaux et qui sont gardés pour une fin légitime;
b) place du poison de telle manière qu’il puisse être facilement consommé par des chiens, oiseaux ou animaux qui ne sont pas des bestiaux et qui sont gardés pour une fin légitime.
Cruauté envers les animaux
446. (1) Commet une infraction quiconque, selon le cas :
a) volontairement cause ou, s’il en est le propriétaire, volontairement permet que soit causée à un animal ou un oiseau une douleur, souffrance ou blessure, sans nécessité;
b) par négligence volontaire cause une blessure ou lésion à des animaux ou à des oiseaux alors qu’ils sont conduits ou transportés;
c) étant le propriétaire ou la personne qui a la garde ou le contrôle d’un animal ou oiseau domestique ou d’un animal ou oiseau sauvage en captivité, l’abandonne en détresse ou volontairement néglige ou omet de lui fournir les aliments, l’eau, l’abri et les soins convenables et suffisants;
d) de quelque façon encourage le combat ou le harcèlement d’animaux ou d’oiseaux ou y aide ou assiste;
e) volontairement, sans excuse raisonnable, administre une drogue ou substance empoisonnée ou nocive à un animal ou oiseau domestique ou à un animal ou oiseau sauvage en captivité ou, étant le propriétaire d’un tel animal ou oiseau, volontairement permet qu’une drogue ou substance empoisonnée ou nocive lui soit administrée;
f) organise, prépare, dirige, facilite quelque réunion, concours, exposition, divertissement, exercice, démonstration ou événement au cours duquel des oiseaux captifs sont mis en liberté avec la main ou par une trappe, un dispositif ou autre moyen pour essuyer un coup de feu au moment de leur libération, ou y prend part ou reçoit de l’argent à cet égard;
g) étant le propriétaire ou l’occupant, ou la personne ayant la charge d’un local, permet que ce local soit utilisé en totalité ou en partie pour une fin mentionnée à l’alinéa f).
(2) Est coupable d’une infraction punissable sur déclaration de culpabilité par procédure sommaire quiconque commet une infraction visée au paragraphe (1).
(3) Aux fins des poursuites engagées en vertu de l’alinéa (1)a) ou b), la preuve qu’une personne a omis d’accorder à un animal ou à un oiseau des soins ou une surveillance raisonnables, lui causant ainsi de la douleur, des souffrances, des dommages ou des blessures, fait preuve, en l’absence de toute preuve contraire, que cette douleur, ces souffrances, dommages ou blessures ont été volontairement causés ou permis ou qu’ils ont été causés par négligence volontaire, selon le cas.
(4) Aux fins des poursuites engagées en vertu de l’alinéa (1)d), la preuve qu’un prévenu était présent lors du combat ou du harcèlement d’animaux ou d’oiseaux fait preuve, en l’absence de toute preuve contraire, qu’il a encouragé ce combat ou ce harcèlement ou y a aidé ou assisté.
(5) En cas d’infraction visée au paragraphe (1), le tribunal peut, en plus de toute autre peine imposée pour cette infraction, rendre une ordonnance interdisant au prévenu de posséder un animal ou un oiseau, ou d’en avoir la garde, pour une période maximale de deux ans.
(6) Est coupable d’une infraction punissable sur déclaration de culpabilité par procédure sommaire quiconque est propriétaire d’un animal ou oiseau ou en a la garde ou le contrôle alors que cela lui est interdit du fait d’une ordonnance rendue aux termes du paragraphe (5).
447. (1) Est coupable d’une infraction punissable sur déclaration de culpabilité par procédure sommaire quiconque construit, fait, entretient ou garde une arène pour les combats de coqs sur les lieux qu’il possède ou occupe, ou permet qu’une telle arène soit construite, faite, entretenue ou gardée sur ces lieux.
(2) Un agent de la paix qui trouve des coqs dans une arène pour les combats de coqs ou sur les lieux où est située une telle arène doit s’en emparer et les transporter devant un juge de paix qui en ordonnera la destruction.
COMING INTO FORCE
Coming into force
4. The provisions of this Act come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.
Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada