
Last month, the Crown stayed charges against Marineland related to using dolphins to perform and entertain without authorization — a criminal offence.
The Crown's decision is a devastating blow to the welfare of the animals held captive at Marineland.
The charges were filed in late 2021, resulting from footage of Marineland running a dolphin show. The case languished in court throughout 2022 before it reached its impotent conclusion in December.
According to Marineland, their dolphin shows are educational and feature marine mammals displaying natural behaviours. There is nothing natural about forcing dolphins to perform for an audience.
Marineland is a business and it is clear that the company's interest in animals is simply how to use them for profit. Animal advocates know this and know that fighting back is to not patronize businesses like Marineland and encourage others to do the same.
What is even more troubling is the government's toothless enforcement of existing animal welfare legislation.
Staying the charges against Marineland suggests that the government has little interest in carrying out the systems it has created to protect animals.
The Crown prosecutor decided it was ''not in public interest'' to prosecute. Animal cruelty is a serious matter of public interest. Tell the government you agree, write to your MP and let them know that Canada must enforce its existing animal welfare legislation. |