Mr. Speaker, I present another petition on behalf of many scores of citizens in the Peterborough area. This brings the total to many thousands who are concerned about cruelty to pets.
As members know a dog was horrifically dragged in Peterborough county this summer and severely injured. The petitioners point out that in the criminal code these animals are simply regarded as property and offences against them are little more than property offences.
Therefore they call upon parliament to work toward swift and effective action that works 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.