For Immediate Release
May 31, 2007

MPP SCOTT SUPPORTS PROPOSED LEGISLATON FOCUSED ON PET ABUSERS
Stiff Penalties and Bans on Ownership for Dog/Cat Abusers

(Queen’s Park, Toronto) Laurie Scott, Progressive Conservative MPP for Haliburton-Victoria-Brock, today supported legislation that would see people in Ontario who abuse their pet cat or dog could face much tougher penalties and a ban on pet ownership if the legislation becomes law.

Progressive Conservative MPP Bob Runciman (Leeds-Grenville) introduced a Private Member’s bill that will allow the courts to impose jail terms up to 2 years less-a-day, fines up to $60,000 and up to a lifetime ban on pet ownership.

The proposed legislation comes in the wake of a series of publicized incidents of pet abuse including the removal of a dog’s ears in order to make the animal look “scarier.”

“People who do serious harm to a pet should lose their right to have pets and should face penalties that are proportionate to the extent of the injuries the pet has suffered,” said Scott. “That’s the intent of this legislation and I’m hopeful that the Liberal government will consider speedy passage of Mr. Runciman’s proposed legislation prior to adjourning for the summer.”

- 30 -

For Further Information Contact:

Laurie Scott, MPP

705- 324-6654

1-800-424-2490