I think more needs to be taken into account in the actual enforcement of the laws. If the laws are strong for children and animals to protect them, then they will be effective.
Where we see it falling apart is that our enforcement authorities aren't necessarily working together. Our community responses to child protection and animal protection need to work more closely together. For example, when an SPCA officer goes into a home to respond to an animal cruelty call, have they looked at the child? If they see something, their duty to report it and call in child protection is important. Likewise, we need to see it the opposite way. If someone has gone in under a child protection call, are they looking at the animals, and can they report?
This is part of why we started the Canadian Violence Link Coalition. We have 10 diverse, different streams of society coming together in the Canadian Violence Link Coalition, to better strengthen the work across those lines so that we have a strong response to all forms of violence, because it is so critical.
If the laws are strong and we have co-operation amongst the different agencies, then we'll be able to better protect all those vulnerable animals and people, and have safer communities.