Wednesday, May 19, 2004

ANIMALS AS PROPERTY, THE SENATE'S STATUS QUO

Yesterday's lead editorial in the Toronto Star criticized the Senate for holding up legislation that would alter sections of the Criminal Code dealing with cruelty to animals. I say good for the Senate. Quoting from The Star: "the proposed changes would move animals out of the section of the Criminal Code that deals with property and would acknowledge them as sentient beings that feel pain." Except that domestic animals, dogs, cats, hamsters, cows, sheep, pigs etc. etc. are property and the Criminal Code should continue to consider them as such.

This is also a lesson to Canadians that the Seanate still holds power, and occasionally importance. It exerts that power arbitrarily and it holds little legitimacy, which is wrong, but never let it be said that the Senate is 'useless' or 'accomplishes nothing.'

Posted by Matthew @ 12:35 a.m.