A group of animal lovers plans to protest in front of the Moose Jaw Provincial Court building on Tuesday, March 29, over a recent decision that dealt with animal abuse.
The group will gather in front of 110 Ominica Street West at 9:30 a.m. to protest a March 21 ruling that saw Robyn St. Laurent plead guilty under section 4(2) of The Animal Protection Act, 2018, which says that “(no) person responsible for an animal shall cause or permit the animal to be or to continue to be in distress.”
St. Laurent received a $1,000 fine and is banned from owning, having custody of, controlling, or residing with animals for five years, while she must allow access to her premises by police or any peace officer. If found with animals, she must forfeit them.
March 29 is also when St. Laurent’s partner, Dylan Gellert, appears in court to face charges for his role in the abuse of animals.
The St. Laurent decision does not sit well with the animal rights group, which issued a news release expressing its disgust over the matter.
“After deliberately attempting to get her case thrown out with eight adjournments, this animal abuser and cat killer received a measly $1,000 fine and a five-year ban on owning animals. She already had a ban but continued to own cats, even raccoon kits,” the group said in a news release.
“We have laws for animal abuse, which can be used but rarely are. Abusers can receive a five-year prison sentence and up to $100,000 in fines. When is enough, enough?” the group wondered. “How many animals must be stolen from the streets and have their lives horribly taken?”
The animal lovers asked that anyone who attends the protest make a sign with a slogan that is big and easy to read.
“Animals have no voice to protest, so we must be their voice,” the group added.
