Animal Justice

AT LAST: Marineland has faced legal consequences after causing untold suffering to animals for decades & incurring more than a dozen cruelty charges. The notorious marine park has been ordered to pay $85,000 for neglecting 3 black bears, named Sasha, Sugar, & Maple, who were seized by authorities & sent to sanctuaries. Animal Justice’s Executive Director, Camille Labchuk, tells Global News Toronto that while it’s good to see Marineland finally held accountable for their actions, it’s disappointing that no remedial orders were issued to protect animals from future abuse at the marine park.

🚨 BREAKING: Marineland has just been sentenced in court over the poor treatment of 3 black bears, who were neglected under their former care. The Court sentenced Marineland to a $15,000 fine on 3 counts (for a total of $45,000), & ordered $28,000 in restitution to reimburse the government for caring for the bears, named Sasha, Sugar, & Maple, after they were seized by authorities. This is the FIRST time Marineland has faced legal consequences after causing decades of suffering, & incurring over a dozen animal cruelty charges in recent years. Today, Animal Justice lawyers sought to intervene in the sentencing to give the animals a voice in court, but we were denied by the Court. While we’re pleased to see Marineland finally be held accountable for their actions, we are disappointed that the Crown didn’t seek a probation order, or a ban on Marineland from owning other animals. This means that unfortunately there are no remedial measures to prevent the future distress of animals at the marine park. Thank you for supporting Animal Justice, which allows us to keep fighting to protect the land & marine mammals held captive at Marineland, and other facilities for our entertainment. Stay tuned for our next move! 🐻

TOMORROW: Animal Justice is seeking leave to intervene in the sentencing of Marineland’s recent conviction of charges stemming from the cruel treatment of 3 young black bears. Stay tuned for more!

Small pets are being abandoned en masse 😔 Animal Justice's Director of Legal Advocacy, Kaitlyn Mitchell, tells CityNews Winnipeg why banning the sale of rabbits, guinea pigs, & hamsters in pet stores is a crucial step toward protecting these animals. Small animals are often dumped outside when families realize the specialized care they require—putting a tremendous strain on rescues already over-capacity.

Professor Peter Sankoff's Guide to Canadian Animal Protection Law is now available for preorder! 📚🐾 Gain crucial insights into how federal animal cruelty laws protect—& fail to protect—animals. $5 from every sale supports Animal Justice 🙏

Ontario's new law aiming to tackle puppy mills is incredibly weak & unenforceable. The PUPS Act doesn't even include a licensing regime—which makes it nearly impossible to know where these abusive facilities are operating 👎

"Manitoba theoretically, on paper, has the best system in the country, yet has never implemented it." - Camille Labchuk, lawyer & executive director of Animal Justice. Manitoba has failed to properly resource & enforce a dog licensing regime designed to protect dogs from puppy mills. Advocates continue to push for tougher laws that will stop puppy mills 🐶

The death toll remains unknown after an extensive fire ravaged a P.E.I. pig farm on Tuesday morning, but the RCMP say that many animals perished. Just over 18 months ago, thousands of pigs died in a fire at the same property. Despite regular occurrences of barn fires, fire prevention measures for farm buildings remain inadequate. As a result, thousands of farmed animals endure frightening & agonizing deaths each year, trapped in cages or stalls with no chance of escaping 💔

Despite horrific suffering documented time & time again at Canadian mink farms, & significant risks to public health, Manitoba has refused to release basic information about their presence in the province. Animal Justice has filed a formal complaint ⬇️

This week, our director of legal advocacy, Kaitlyn Mitchell, spoke with CityNews about the elusive mink fur industry. Animal Justice recently launched a complaint after Manitoba Agriculture refused to disclose basic information about mink farms in the province—essential insights amid growing concerns over animal welfare & zoonotic disease risk 🦠