Module 1
Legislation
A bill becomes a law (act) (piece of legislation) once it has passed and receives royal assent from the legislature.
Regulations are the "rules" incorporated in an act that contain legal obligations.
Codes are considered the guidelines which do not have any legal binding unless included within or referred by regulations.
In Manitoba the applicable legislation include:
- The Animal Care Act
- the Animal Care Regulation 126/98
The objective of the animal care legislation is to protect the welfare of domesticated animals in Manitoba, and enforce compliance of an acceptable standard for their care.
These standards of care apply to:
- providing animals with adequate food, water, shelter, exercise and medical attention
- keeping animals in areas that are uncrowded, sanitary, have adequate lighting, and are well ventilated
- avoiding infliction of emotional or physical suffering, injury, harm, anxiety or distress
Note that you do not need to memorize the legislation in order to complete the quiz, but rather understand them and familiarize yourself with the definitions and concepts found below.
Definitions
Shall, Must
Example: Shall = Must.
In the Kennel Code of Practice (PDF 2700 KB), the requirement for water is that "snow" is not a primary source of water. What this means is that no one should be using snow as a source of hydration and that potable unfrozen water must be available both inside and outside. Failure to provide proper drinking water is against the law. For example: charges may be laid if you only give your dog snow instead of water to maintain hydration.
Kennel Premises
- the owner or operator of the premises receives a fee for keeping the companion animals, or;
- the companion animals are kept in connection with a commercial enterprise that is not exempt under the regulations, or;
- premises operated as a pound, animal shelter or animal rescue facility, or premises operated for a similar purpose as designated in the regulations.
Also, an owner is someone who possessed or controlled an animal, or occupied premises containing the animal, immediately before it was seized or taken into custody under The Animal Care Act.
Occupied premises examples include:
- pet store owner/corporation
- manager
Owners:
- Shall ensure that the animal has an adequate source of food and water.
- Shall provide the animal with adequate medical attention when the animal is wounded or ill.
- Shall provide the animal with reasonable protection from harmful heat or cold.
- If an animal has suffered serious harm or endured extreme anxiety or distress and has not received veterinary treatment.
- If veterinary treatment to relieve the animal’s suffering is not immediately available.
- pain
- illness
- disease
- death of adult
- death of puppies
- pest control
- animal discipline and training
- nail trimming
- veterinary procedures:
- spaying or neutering
- medical treatment – vaccination
Means to provide the animals all the necessities of life and to maintain the animal in living conditions that do not cause it distress.
Animals in Distress
Animals in distress are those that are:
- Subjected to conditions that, unless immediately alleviated, will cause the animal death or serious harm.
- Subjected to conditions that cause the animal to suffer acute pain.
- Not provided food and water sufficient to maintain the animal in a good state of health.
- Not provided appropriate medical attention when the animal is wounded or ill.
- Unduly exposed to cold or heat.
- Subjected to conditions that will over time, significantly impair the animal’s health or well-being.
- owners
- caregivers
- volunteers
Go to Module 2.