WELLAND—Marineland will face a sentencing hearing tomorrow in Welland, Ontario after being found guilty of multiple animal welfare offences regarding three young bears.
Earlier this year, the notorious aquarium and roadside zoo in Niagara Falls, Ontario, was convicted of failing to comply with an orders issued by Provincial Animal Welfare Services regarding the wellbeing of the bears. This is the first time Marineland has been convicted of such offences, despite years of concerns over unlawful cruelty, and multiple prior charges that were shockingly withdrawn.
Animal Justice, Canada’s leading animal law organization, is seeking intervener status at the sentencing hearing. Animal Justice aims to provide the court with important perspective about the principles that should apply in sentencing for animal welfare cases.
As one of the first successful prosecutions under Ontario’s Provincial Animal Welfare Service Act (PAWS Act), which became law in 2019, the court’s decision will likely inform future sentencing decisions.
Animal Justice representatives will be available to speak to the media at the courthouse following the hearing and will also be available for phone or Zoom interviews.
When: Thursday, August 15, 2024, 1:30 pm ET
Where: Welland Provincial Offences Court, Courtroom 103 (or here on Zoom)
What: Animal Justice will argue its application to intervene first, followed by the sentencing hearing itself
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Contact:
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]
