Canadian Criminal Law/Offences/Animal Cruelty

Overview
There are three types of offences against animals generally. There is offences for killing and harming animals (445), torturing animals (445.1), and neglecting animals (446).

Proof of the Offences
In addition to the essential elements of time, location, and identity, the Crown should also prove the following for each offence:

Interpretation
It has been recognized that intentional cruelty to animals is an indicator of a "potential for increasing violence and dangerousness" against people.

Parliament amended s. 445(1) with An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals), SC 2008 c 12 increasing the maximum penalties. This has been interpreted as signaling that the previous penalties were "wholly inadequate" and that penalties in general should be increased."

Related Offences
Injuring or endangering cattle (444)
 * Keeping cockpit (447)