SPCA calls for stricter by-laws

The Vernon SPCA is calling on the city for stricter bylaws that include enforcement for a lack of basic care for animals.

Vernon and District Branch Manager, Chelsea Taylor said that the SPCA received 334 calls in 2018 to their animal cruelty reporting hotline for animals lacking in care, including  23 calls for animals being left in hot vehicles and 46 calls for animals in poor or unsanitary living conditions .

Taylor spoke to council on Monday and argued that changing the bylaw to include basic care would help reduce animal cruelty and boost public safety.

She said that while the SPCA can investigate a lack of standard of care in animals it is difficult to enforce without standards of care bylaws in place.