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Bell Gets Award For Animal Protection Legislation

By 250 News

Saturday, June 07, 2008 04:35 AM

BC SPCA CEO Craig Daniell, actress and animal welfare advocate Tippi Hedren and Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell at a special presentation to Minister Bell  (photo Jo Graber)

Prince George, B.C. - Provincial Agriculture Minister, Pat Bell, has been honoured  by the BC SPCA.
The BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals largely credits the Liberal MLA for Prince George North with recent improvements to animal cruelty laws under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The changes to the act, introduced in Bill 9, were passed in March 2008.
 
Bell also supported Bill 29, introduced by Minister of Environment Barry Penner, which protects wild exotic animals by enabling the government to regulate the possession and trafficking of non-indigenous species. The bill was introduced in the legislature in April and passed May 29.
The BC SPCA presented Bell with an Award of Appreciation for his undaunted efforts at a special presentation in Vancouver on May 28, prior to a BC SPCA-sponsored lecture on exotic animals with American actress and animal welfare advocate Tippi Hedren.
“When we launched our online petition for the End Animal Cruelty campaign, Minister Bell made a point of going to our website to be the very first person to send a petition to his own government supporting the campaign,” said Craig Daniell, CEO for the BC SPCA.
 
Daniell said changing legislation is a complex and often uphill battle, but Bell recognized the importance of protecting B.C.’s most vulnerable animals from violence and abuse, and steadfastly lobbied his government on behalf of animal lovers everywhere.
 
The resultant legislation introduced by Bell makes it easier for SPCA cruelty investigators to enter property and assist animals in distress, and significantly increases penalties handed down under the PCA Act from $2,000 to $5,000, and to $10,000 for a second offence.
 

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Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2008 04:35 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Comment Posted by: downnotout on June 7 2008 2:54 PM
To bad Pat Bell was not as concerned with the injuried workers of this province as he is about some animals. Now animals have more protection then people
Comment Posted by: tinyapplecork on June 8 2008 4:05 PM
I agree downnotout. Amazing how a politician can receive an award for doing their job. Guess the 57% pay increase for doing said job just isn't enough. What of the other thousands who supported the changes to legislation do they not deserve recognition? Hmm. "Daniell said changing legislation is a complex and often uphill battle, but Bell recognized the importance of protecting B.C.’s most vulnerable animals from violence and abuse, and steadfastly lobbied his government on behalf of animal lovers everywhere."