On8 December 2008, Bailey, a Maine Coon Cat, was severely beaten, set on fire and left to die. Bailey found his way back home, was found and rushed to the vet. Unfortunately, Bailey secumbed to his injuries and died enroute to the doctor. Whereas we, the undersigned, are both saddened and sickened by this wanton act of uprovoked and senseless violence against a defenseless animal. and Whereas while we, the undersigned, believe that all animals were created equally, there is a special bond between companion animals and their human "owners", and Whereas we, the undersigned, do believe there is a difference between a youthful and adult offender, and Whereas we, the undersigned believe that their is imperical data linking the propensity of individuals who commit acts of violence against animals to also commit acts of violence against humans, and Whereas we, the undersigned, believe that the current animal cruelty laws do not adequately provide for the punishment of offenders, and Whereas we, the undersigned, believe that the judiciary do not reflect the will of the people in handing out punishments to persons convicted of animal cruelty offenses Hereby petition our elected officials at all levels of government to change the current laws to revise the punishment under the Canada Criminal Code and provincial legislation to more accurately reflect the henious nature of this crime, to wit: 1. That if there is flame or fire, with or without accelerrant usage, the offender be additionally, and separately, charged with the crime of aggrivated arson. 3. That anyone convicted of cruelty to animals receive a minimum mandatory prison sentence of six (6) months up to 10 years depending upon the severity of the crime. This prison sentence shall be served day-for-day with no provision for parole, time off for good behavior, evening or weekend only jail. Minimum mandatory sentences shall be established for each category of offense and offender, to wit youthful or adult offender, summary conviction or inditable offence. 4. If the offender is a youthful offender, the attainment of the age of majority shall not negate the requirement to complete the full adjudicated prison sentence. The offender shall either remain in a yourthful offender facility or be transfered to an adult correctional facility until completion of the full sentence. 5. The offender shall be required to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $2,000 up to $15,000 depending upon the severity of the offence. A date will be established by the court in which the fine must be paid. Failure of the offender to pay the fine by this date, will cause the court to ensure action is taken to garnish any income that the offender may receive until the fine is paid in full. 6. Convicted offenders shall be forbidden to own, possess, transport,care for, or work in any way in a facility that deals with live animals. a. In the case of a youthful offender adjudged a summary conviction, this ban shall remain in effect until at least the attainment of the age of majority. At that time, or after, the offender may petition the court for removal of the ban, providing evidence from competent authority that there is negligable chance for a repeat of the offence. The ban shall not be lifted until it is removed by the court. b. In the case of a youthful offender convicted of an inditable offense, the ban shall be permanent. c. In the case of an adult offender summarily convicted, the ban shall be for a period of at least five years. At that time or any time thereafter, the offender may petition the court for removal of the ban by presenting evidence that the change for a repeat offence is negligable. The ban shall remain in effect until removed by the court. d. In the case of an offender convicted of an inditable offence, the ban shall be permanent.

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