Mr. Speaker, members know that before the break I introduced a number of petitions from citizens concerned about cruelty to pets. During the summer that has been exacerbated by a horrific example of a dog being dragged by a pickup truck until it was raw and battered. This has caused an avalanche of interest in this very important matter. People have been asking for greatly increased fines, for lifetime prohibitions for people convicted of pet cruelty from owning pets, and things of that sort.
On behalf of these petitioners I once again call upon parliament to work toward swift and effective action to modernize Canada's laws dealing with crimes against animals and that the penalties for such actions be made strict enough to act as a deterrent against such behaviour.