Ontario SPCA and Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency join forces to prevent animal abuse

Thursday, April 24, 2014

by MATT MCINTOSH

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency have signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly investigate claims of animal abuse related to sheep.

According to an April 22 press release from the Society the agreement struck means “trained sheep industry representatives” will accompany animal abuse inspectors to sheep specific farm calls.

“The agreement allows us to provide technical assistance to abuse inspectors,” says Jennifer MacTavish, general manager of Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency.

“It’s an opportunity to provide inspectors with a better understanding of the sheep industry codes of practice.”

The two organizations will also host joint, biannual education sessions relating to on-farm animal care codes of practice.

No dates have yet been set for the education session says MacTavish.

The society has struck four similar agreements with other livestock commodity groups.

The National Farm Animal Care Council, the group responsible for facilitating the development of Canada’s livestock codes of practice, last updated the sheep codes of practice in December. BF