We agree that it is unnecessary and inhumane to destroy animals on an order of law as opposed to individually assessing each animal, determining what kinds of welfare issues they have, and looking at humane euthanasia, if that's required, based on their injuries and based on the recommendation of a veterinarian.
We would support striking down the second half, where the court is directed to actually destroy them, and support broadening that subsection to include all animals.
My only concern is our horizon is short in Parliament, and we would like to get this bill through to royal assent before Parliament rises. This issue has been on the books for a long time. There are other ways, as Camille pointed out, that animals can be seized. For example, under the provincial legislation, even if you're charging under the Criminal Code, you can also seize under the provincial legislation. We're not risking leaving animals in situations like that if we can seize them under the provincial legislation.