Courthouse Steps Protest Decries Sentence - Asks For Tougher Laws And Sentences
Carrying signs reading “There is no excuse for animal abuse” and “Cat Killers” about a half a dozen concerned citizens protested outside of the Saskatchewan Provincial Court House in the wake of last week's conviction of Robyn St Laurent.
“Many of these cats meant something to someone and this is wrong,” protest organizer Kim Epp said.
Epp said she felt compelled to help organize the protest due to what she saw as the Crown not using the present laws to their fullest extent.
In the St Laurent case Epp said she did not believe the $1,000 fine plus a five year ban of owning and having any animal under her control was sufficient.
Epp said she would have liked to have seen a lifetime ban as well as jail time.
“They recently gave a man a year in jail for killing three dogs and this is far worse than that,” she said, adding “five years and no prison time this is just a slap on the wrist.”
When it was pointed out to Epp that the sentence imposed on St Laurent voted now not be changed Epp said she knew that but in other cases the present laws need to be enforced to their fullest.
“I don't know if the laws need to be changed the strong penalties we have in the present laws need to be used,” she said.
Epp was quick to point out despite being placed on a prohibition from owning or being in possession of animals St Laurent was caught numerous times breaking those conditions but yet she was able to cut a “slap on the wrist deal.”
Asked about the low turnout Epp said she was disappointed but many who were interested could not attend because they were working or the weather.
Naomi Hunter leader of the Saskatchewan Green Party had planned to attend but had to turn back when a sudden snow storm blocked their vision making the journey hazardous.
Despite the lower than hoped for turnout Epp said the group was also going to circulate a petition asking the government to enforce the rules as well as requesting changes to the laws to make them stricter.
Jasmine Ghesquire was another protestor and she saw the present animal protection laws as lax.
“Anyone abusing animals like this should have a lifetime ban from owning animals,” Ghesquire said, adding “there should also be a requirement of a mental health assessment and treatment if need be for animal abuse conviction.”
She said she would like to see stricter laws and punishments in cases like the one that have gone through or are going through the Court’s.
“If the laws aren't strict enough make stricter laws.”
Epp said despite the case involving St Laurent as now completed there are other cases of it occurring in the community.
“There are other cases happening. If you see something please say something,” she said, adding “don't ignore animal abuse, don’t turn a blind eye…if you are ignoring animal abuse you're saying it is OK.”
MJ Independent was able to speak with St Laurent's attorney about the protest this past Friday.
Regina Legal Aid lawyer Adam Fritzler said the sentence handed down was appropriate under existing case law.
“The sentence in terms of applicable laws was appropriate,” Fritzler told MJ Independent.
He pointed out “a review of case law in the province that is accurate” sentence for his client.
“The sentence was within the realm of existing case law,” Fritzler said.
The group is now planning on circulating a petition asking the Province to make stricter penalties for animal abuse in hopes people will stop doing it.
The petition may be accessed here.
Editor’s Note - As part of full disclosure Kim Epp writes the nature column Beyond Your Backyard in MJ Independent.
She has no control over the editorial policy of this publication but we admit her columns add to MJ Independent's wider community coverage.
Her organizing of the protest as well as views expressed are hers and not those of MJ Independent.
Epp is a conservationist and former president of Nature Moose Jaw and well known for her love of animals.