Animal Cruelty
Criminal Code — Sections 444–447.1
Animal Cruelty in Canada: the numbers
Police-reported incidents, Statistics Canada table 35-10-0177, 2022 to 2025.
1,904
Incidents reported by police, 2025
4.6
Rate per 100,000 people
+129%
Change in rate since 2022
18%
Incidents cleared by a charge
Rate per 100,000 people, by year
Rate by province and territory, 2025
- 1.Nunavut40.6
- 2.Yukon16.6
- 3.Newfoundland and Labrador14.2
- 4.Saskatchewan11.1
- 5.Alberta9.8
- 6.British Columbia7.4
- 7.Northwest Territories6.5
- 8.Manitoba6.4
- 9.Prince Edward Island4.9
- 10.Nova Scotia4.7
- 11.New Brunswick3.7
- 12.Quebec2.7
- 13.Ontario1.9
Highest rates among metro areas, 2025
- 1.Chilliwack21.3
- 2.Victoria15.1
- 3.Edmonton13.1
- 4.Red Deer10.4
- 5.Nanaimo8.6
- 6.Lethbridge7.8
- 7.Kamloops7.3
- 8.Belleville-Quinte West4.8
- 9.Kingston4.7
- 10.Brantford3.9
Definition
Animal cruelty offences in Canada criminalize the wilful causing of unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to animals, as well as the neglect of animals in a person's care. The Criminal Code includes offences for killing, maiming, wounding, or poisoning animals, causing unnecessary suffering through abuse or neglect, and engaging in animal fighting. Some provisions (such as s. 445.1) apply to any animal or bird, while others are limited to cattle, animals kept for a lawful purpose, or animals in a person's care; animal sentience is recognized in some provincial law (e.g., Quebec's Civil Code), not in the Criminal Code.
Penalties
Classification
Hybrid offence — can be prosecuted as summary or indictable.
Maximum Penalty
Maximum 5 years imprisonment for ss. 444, 445, 445.1 and 447 (these were summary-only offences before 2008); maximum 2 years for neglect or abandonment under s. 446.
Examples
Animal Cruelty Offences in the Criminal Code
The Criminal Code creates several distinct offences related to animal cruelty:
- s. 444 — Injuring or endangering cattle: Wilfully killing, maiming, wounding, poisoning or injuring cattle (defined in s. 2 as bovine animals, horses, mules, asses, pigs, sheep and goats).
- s. 445 — Injuring or endangering other animals: Wilfully and without lawful excuse killing, maiming, wounding, poisoning or injuring dogs, birds or other animals that are not cattle but are kept for a lawful purpose.
- s. 445.1 — Causing unnecessary suffering: The core animal cruelty provision. It is an offence to:
- Wilfully cause or, being the owner, wilfully permit to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal
- Wilfully administer poison or an injurious drug to a domestic animal or bird, or a wild animal or bird in captivity
- Promote, arrange, conduct or receive money for the fighting or baiting of animals or birds
- Encourage, aid, or assist at the fighting or baiting of animals
- s. 446 — Neglect and abandonment: Causing damage or injury by wilful neglect while an animal is driven or conveyed; being the owner or person in custody, wilfully neglecting or failing to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care; or abandoning an animal in distress.
- s. 447 — Arena for animal fighting: Building, maintaining or keeping an arena for animal fighting, or allowing one to be kept on premises you own or occupy.
- Penalties were significantly increased in 2008 under the amendment to s. 445.1, converting the main offences from summary-only (maximum 6 months and $2,000) to hybrid offences with a 5-year indictable maximum, and removing the previous 2-year cap on prohibition orders.
Provincial Animal Protection Laws and Reporting
In addition to the Criminal Code, each province and territory has its own animal protection legislation that works alongside federal law:
- Provincial statutes include:
- Ontario: Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 (PAWS Act, in force 2020) — enforced by provincial inspectors with powers of entry and seizure
- British Columbia: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act — enforced by the BC SPCA
- Alberta: Animal Protection Act — enforced by peace officers and humane societies
- Quebec: Animal Welfare and Safety Act — recognized animals as sentient beings in 2015
- How to report animal cruelty:
- Emergency (animal in immediate danger): Call 911 or your local police
- Non-emergency: Contact your local SPCA, humane society, or provincial animal welfare authority
- Wildlife: Contact your provincial wildlife enforcement branch
- Online reporting: Most SPCAs accept anonymous online tips
- Prohibition orders: Upon conviction, courts can order that the offender be prohibited from owning or having custody of animals for a period of time — for any period the court considers appropriate (including life), with a minimum of five years for a second or subsequent offence. Breach of a prohibition order is a separate criminal offence.
- Veterinary reporting: Several provinces require veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse, similar to mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for animal cruelty in Canada?
The maximum penalty is 5 years imprisonment if prosecuted by indictment. If prosecuted summarily, the maximum is 2 years less a day and/or a fine of up to $10,000 (for neglect or abandonment under s. 446, the maximum is 2 years on indictment, or a fine of up to $5,000 and/or 6 months summarily). Courts can also impose animal prohibition orders preventing the offender from owning or being around animals. For a second or subsequent offence, any prohibition order must last at least five years, and prior convictions or organized fighting can be aggravating factors at sentencing.
Is leaving a dog in a hot car illegal?
Yes. If leaving an animal in a vehicle causes unnecessary suffering (and provincial animal welfare laws may apply where an animal is in distress) — such as on a hot day where interior temperatures can reach dangerous levels within minutes — it is animal cruelty under s. 445.1. Provincial laws allow animal welfare inspectors and police to enter a vehicle to rescue an animal in distress; bystanders generally have no such legal protection and should call police or animal welfare authorities.
What is the difference between abuse and neglect under the law?
Abuse involves wilfully causing pain, suffering, or injury — active harm like beating, kicking, or burning an animal. Neglect involves failing to provide adequate care — food, water, shelter, or veterinary treatment. Both are criminal offences. Neglect (under s. 446(1)(b)) is a "negligence" offence, meaning it does not require proof that the accused intended to cause suffering, only that their failure to provide care was a marked departure from what a reasonable person would do.
Can I report animal cruelty anonymously?
Yes. Most SPCA branches, humane societies, and provincial animal welfare authorities accept anonymous tips. Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477) also accepts anonymous reports of animal cruelty. You do not need to give your name to report suspected abuse or neglect.
Do animal cruelty laws apply to farm animals?
Yes. The Criminal Code applies to all animals, including livestock. However, the standard applied is "unnecessary" pain or suffering — meaning accepted agricultural practices (such as humane slaughter methods) are generally not considered criminal. Treatment that goes beyond accepted industry standards or causes suffering without legitimate purpose can be prosecuted as animal cruelty.
Related Offences
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