WORLD ANIMAL PROTECTION RELEASES NEW INVESTIGATION INTO ROADSIDE ZOOS IN ONTARIO

New report highlights perceived violations of a number of present laws placing animals and public in danger, reinforcing the necessity for stronger laws and enforcement from province

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2022 /CNW/ – World Animal Safety has launched a brand new investigative report into the state of so-called roadside zoos in Ontario. Nothing New on the Zoo highlights a string of perceived violations which raises vital questions round enforcement of present animal welfare laws and public security. 

“The shortage of enforcement, of what little regulation exists for these amenities, is deeply regarding,” mentioned World Animal Safety Marketing campaign Supervisor Michèle Hamers. “This wild-west, patchwork system that has been in place for years simply would not work, and we all know that – it wants an overhaul to guard the general public and captive wildlife.”

The investigation reviewed the public-facing operations of 11 zoos throughout Ontario.

World Animal Safety found dozens of regarding cases of potential non-compliance with the Requirements of Care Laws established below the Provincial Animal Welfare Companies (PAWS) Act from enclosures too small for the animals to behave naturally, to the unsafe development of fences for animals like tigers and lions – risking escape.

At some zoos, it appeared that the peak of tiger and lion fencing was effectively beneath professionally beneficial minimal requirements of 4.8 metres. 

A majority of zoos visited, inspired unsafe interactions between guests and wild animals, just like the unsupervised feeding of untamed animals.

World Animal Safety has despatched complaints to the PAWS Inspectorate, relating to the considerations seen via this investigation. 

“We actively encourage the PAWS Inspectorate to research our complaints instantly,” added Hamers. “An intensive evaluation of all amenities is required to determine different potential violations – and to take acceptable measures to handle them to guard each the general public and the animals.”

The investigation and report have been accomplished as a part of World Animal Safety’s ongoing work to advocate the provincial authorities to develop and implement a compulsory licensing program for all amenities, companies and establishments housing native and unique animals and enhance enforcement. 

Among the many suggestions to return out of the report:

• Require enforcement officers to conduct complete evaluations of all Ontario zoos to determine violations of the PAWS Act requirements and take acceptable measures to handle them
• Implement a possession, breeding and acquisition ban on amenities, companies, and establishments that don’t meet licensing requirements
• Prohibit using wild animals for leisure in addition to the possession, preserving and breeding of harmful and/or problematic wild animals by personal people

World Animal Safety Wildlife Marketing campaign Supervisor Michèle Hamers is out there to talk to the report and the necessity for the Authorities of Ontario to right away implement tighter laws on these amenities.

SOURCE World Animal Safety

For additional data: Kari Vierimaa, KPW Communications, 416.578.0488, [email protected]